Illegal Riverside County Marijuana Grow Busted, Dismantled

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA -- The Riverside County Sheriff's Department says that it has found and dismantled a large, illegal marijuana grow operation in Anza.

On Nov. 10, personnel from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Riverside County Code Enforcement, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife served six marijuana cultivation related search warrants in the unincorporated county area of Anza.

While conducting the searches, about 4251 marijuana plants and 1489 pounds of processed marijuana with a combined weight of roughly 2.06 tons were "eradicated" from several indoor and outdoor structures, according to the RCSD.

"The goal of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is to keep all of our citizens safe while also improving the quality of life for those residing within the community," the Sheriff's Department said in a statement provided to Patch. "Marijuana cultivation negatively impacts the environment in many ways including diminishing and poisoning the water table and pesticides adversely affecting the health of neighboring residents."

Anyone suspecting illegal drug activity in their area is advised to contact their local Sheriff’s Station. The Hemet Sheriff’s Station can be reached at (951) 791-3400 and the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station can be reached at (951) 766-2400. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005.