$45 Million Worth Of Marijuana Found On 1,500 Acres: Hemet, Sage

HEMET, CA — Marijuana cultivation sites spread out over more than 1,500 acres of public and private land in unincorporated areas of Hemet and Sage were taken down this week by deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, who said the cannabis street value was estimated at $45 million.

The law enforcement raids took place Monday and Tuesday in the 44000 block of Endor Lane, near Hemet, and Red Mountain Road in Sage.

More than 91,000 marijuana plants were eradicated, and 680 pounds of processed marijuana were found, according the the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

"The combination of processed marijuana and future harvest of the eradicated plants has an estimated street value of $45 million," the sheriff's department said. "These illegal cultivations cause deforestation, destroy wildlife habitats, pose a threat to the citizens of Riverside County, and utilize hazardous chemical pollutants that cause damage to the environment. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department remains dedicated to eradicating these illegal cultivation sites."

No arrests were announced.

Agencies that worked alongside the sheriff's department during the operation included the District Attorney’s Office, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, United States Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, and Campaign Against Marijuana Planting.

Another Hemet bust was conducted Wednesday at a home in the 28000 block of Rawlings Road. In addition to finding 574 marijuana plants, deputies discovered wiring at the residence had been tampered with, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. No arrests were announced and it's not clear whether there was any connection to the earlier raids.

In addition to the Hemet-Sage raids, the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station also announced a marijuana bust. Deputies served a search warrant Wednesday at a Horsethief Canyon home in the 27000 block of Coyote Mesa Drive and seized 430 marijuana plants. Deputies also discovered the home had been illegally wired, according to the sheriff's department.

No arrests were announced.

Deputies in La Quinta conducted a similar raid Wednesday in the 51000 block of Avenida Obregon. During the law enforcement operation, approximately 500 marijuana plants were seized. The home was illegally wired but no arrests were announced.