On Tuesday, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Team removed and destroyed 464 marijuana plants from a home located on the 38000 block of Sumac Ln. in Squaw Valley.
This was a result of serving a search warrant at the property.
Detectives arrested three people at the home. They are: Dale LaCroix, 32, Joseph Grieco, 22 and Angela Work, 26. All three suspects were booked in the Fresno County Jail and face felony charges of cultivating and manufacturing marijuana. LaCroix, who is listed as the renter of the property, also faces a felony charge of utility theft.
This grow house was an elaborate operation. Detectives discovered four bedrooms and the garage filled with plants at different maturity stages. Each room had independent air conditioning units, fans, ballasts and lights. The suspects had also bypassed the electrical meter at the home and were stealing power. PG&E estimates their monthly electrical use totaled $7,000.
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.
If you are aware of illegal drug activity, report it anonymously by calling the Narcotics Hotline at 1-800-660-1086 or Email:
