4,000 Pot Plants Seized on Private Land

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s office conducted a marijuana eradication operation August 29 on private property. Sheriffs worked with a private landowner to tear out 4,000 pot plants located on land adjacent to Santa Rosa Road between the cities of Lompoc and Buellton.

The pot has a street value of $12 million. The landowner notified the Sheriff’s Office when he discovered individuals had trespassed onto the property, diverted water meant for livestock, and were using the water to illegally grow marijuana. No suspects were found during the course of the operation. The case is under investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind property owners that while most of the illegal marijuana grows have been discovered on public land so far this year, the activity is occurring on private land as well.

Property owners should be aware that individuals involved in these illegal operations are willing to trespass onto private land to conduct their operations. If you suspect there is marijuana being grown on your property, you should avoid contact with anyone who may be involved and contact law enforcement immediately.