TwoDeath Valley Marijuana Grow Sites Shut Down

Death Valley National Park (CA)
Two Marijuana Grow Sites Shut Down

On August 9th and August 10th, NPS and cooperating agencies conducted a marijuana interdiction operation dubbed Operation Cleansweep on Hunter Mountain. Two separate marijuana grow sites were raided by NPS personnel resulting in the removal and destruction of approximately 8,000 plants. NPS personnel pursued several individuals who fled the grow sites but were unable to immediately apprehend any suspects. A wildland fire sparked by dry lightning on the evening of August 10th ultimately caused three suspects to flee Hunter Mountain. The suspects were found in Grapevine Canyon on the evening of August 11th. Two of the three were apprehended and are awaiting trial on marijuana cultivation charges. The grow sites suffered extensive resource damage, including the cutting down of over 100 cottonwood trees at one site. Future operations are being planned to rehabilitate these locations. Operation Cleansweep was the culmination of a ten-month investigation conducted by Death Valley rangers and special agents with the NPS Investigative Services Branch. Participating in the operation were NPS ISB, Pacific West Region special event and tactical teams, Sequoia-Kings Canyon marijuana interdiction group, Death Valley resource management staff, and California Air National Guard.