Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Upper Ojai
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Narcotics / Air Unit / U.S. Forest Service

On Wednesday, July 24, 2008, Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators, in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Air Unit and the United States Forest Service, eradicated large-scale marijuana cultivation in the Los Padres National Forest north of the city of Ojai. Approximately 7,249 marijuana plants were eradicated with a potential street value of over 14 million dollars. The plants from this grow were later destroyed.

The multiple gardens were discovered earlier this month during aerial reconnaissance and were located in a drainage area stretching roughly from Wheeler Gorge Campground to Rose Valley. Three makeshift campsites used by the growers were found in the canyon. Each campsite was littered with trash and debris, irrigation pipe, camping equipment, and chemicals used in fertilizing the plants. This type of activity found at these grow sites is known to cause significant damage to the environment, e.g., stream deviation, tree and brush cutting and removal, landscape terracing, etc.

It is believed those responsible for this grow are tied to a drug trafficking organization; however, no arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.

The Sheriff’s Department would also like to remind the public of the potential danger to anyone who might accidentally come across one of these illegal marijuana grow sites. If anyone has information concerning a marijuana grow, please contact your local law enforcement agency or Crime Stoppers if you would like to remain anonymous.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 494-TALK (Thousand Oaks / Moorpark) or 385-TALK in other areas.