On Monday, narcotics detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office removed and destroyed approximately 1,000 marijuana plants from a vacant home located on the 2200 block of N. Fowler Ave. in Fresno.

This was an elaborate operation with plants ranging in several different sizes.  About 200 - 300 were starter plants.  The growers had built this to be a year-round operation, which could likely generate three harvests a year.  

The Fresno Fire Department was initially called to the home around 7:00 am for a report of a fire.  Firefighters extinguished the fire and reported the marijuana grow to the Sheriff’s Office.  Detectives discovered the renters of the property had tapped into an outside power source and were stealing electricity from PG&E.  It was determined that an electrical overload is what sparked the fire.

No arrests have been made.  Detectives are working with the property owner, who lives out of town, to develop more leads on the suspects.  Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the property owner could face punishment.

Fresno County enforces a strict ban on all cannabis cultivation, both indoors and outdoors.  Violation of the ordinance could result in several consequences:

1.Growers can be arrested on a felony charge.

2.Growers can face heavy fines starting at $1,000 per plant.

3.Property owners, including family members, can be fined too.

4.Very short timelines to appeal citations and fines.

5.Prop. 215/SB 420 compliance will not stop enforcement.

6.Additional fines, interest, legal fees and costs of abatement can be charged.

7.County can place lien on property for unpaid fines.