Douglas Sheriff: Massive marijuana discovery was result of organized crime investigation involving Chinese nationals
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 09/21/2021 - 1:11pm
UPDATE 4:36PM: The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday afternoon that the marijuana grow that was shut down Monday was the result of warrants that followed a lengthy investigation involving numerous Chinese nationals believed to be associated with organized crime.
The following is from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office:
On September 20, 2021, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Washoe Tribal Police Department (WTPD), Nevada Division of Investigation (NDI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board served two search warrants in the Bodie Flats area of Gardnerville, NV. Both warrants were as a result of a lengthy investigation of an illegal marijuana grow, involving numerous Chinese nationals believed to be associated with organized crime.
During the raid, approximately 80 persons were contacted and detained for questioning. Two persons were arrested, one for an immigration violation and one for possession of a controlled substance, (not marijuana). The marijuana grow consisted of 160 greenhouses, containing a total of 60,066 marijuana plants. The street value of the marijuana seized is estimated to be in the millions. The total amount of marijuana destroyed by burying it on site, was 123,900 pounds.
“Marijuana is legal in Nevada, but is highly regulated. This marijuana grow was well outside any legal marijuana grow permitted by Nevada Statutes. The most alarming aspect of this case to me is the deplorable condition the workers lived and worked in and the potential negative environmental impact caused by the unregulated fertilizer and waste,” said Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley. “No matter what your stance is on marijuana this operation, and the total disregard for the environment, was a stain on the beautiful valley we live in.”
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A search Monday by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies led to a large marijuana grow operation in 160 greenhouses spanning over 22 acres on tribal land in Douglas County, officials said.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Reno Resident Office, along with other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners served a federal search warrant Monday and removed the large illegal marijuana cultivation operation on federal land.
A DEA spokeswoman said this is an ongoing investigation.
A search Monday found 60,000 plants growing in the 160 greenhouse hoop houses. At least one person was taken into custody, according to KOLO.
The effort was in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Intertribal Cannabis Commission, Nevada National Guard, Bureau of Land Management, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Department of Public Safety, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, Nevada Highway Patrol, Washoe Tribe Police Department, and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
