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Yosemite National Park
Marijuana Cultivation Sites Eradicated in Merced River Drainage

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Date: October 3, 2007

On the 26th and 27th of September 2007, approximately 30 law enforcement officers from the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, the US Forest Service, the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (CAMP), and Yosemite National Park raided four illegal marijuana cultivation sites.Three of the cultivation sites were located on the Sierra National Forest/ Yosemite National Park boundary between the Wawona Road and the South Fork of the Merced River. The fourth site was a short distance outside the park in the Sierra National Forest.

A total of 14,536 plants valued at over 43 million dollars were seized. Law enforcement officers from the US Forest Service made two arrests during the raid, one an adult male and one 17-year-old juvenile. Both are Mexican nationals.

Large-scale marijuana cultivation is a problem which continues to plague land management agencies and Sheriff’s departments state-wide.

Low intensity fire in Yosemite  

Did You Know?
Natural fires in Yosemite are often no more than a single burning snag (standing dead tree) or a slow moving, low intensity fire that cleans underbrush from the forest floor. These fires prevent unwanted fires by removing accumulating forest debris that can fuel a larger fire in hot, dry conditions.

Last Updated: October 03, 2007 at 19:47 EST