Sequoia: Major Marijuana Plantation Raided

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Major Marijuana Plantation Raided

The Crystal Cave road and guided tours were closed to the public early on the afternoon of August 23rd due to automatic gunfire being heard near the cave entrance. A subsequent search of the area revealed a large marijuana complex across the valley from the cave entrance. This is the first time Sequoia National Park has been forced to close a major visitor attraction due to an illegal marijuana grow site. On August 27th, rangers from Sequoia and Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks, with assistance from agents of the NPS Investigative Services Branch and the Department of Homeland Security, raided the site. Within the marijuana complex, they found tactical vests, evidence of five different calibers of weapons, and harvested marijuana. Rangers seized 7,750 mature marijuana plants, 20 pounds of processed marijuana, and numerous hazmat items. The creek supplying water to the grow site is the same creek that created Crystal Cave and still runs through the cave today. During the raid, efforts were made to remove any chemicals located in order to protect the cave resources. No arrests were made during the raid and the investigation is ongoing. The cave was reopened to the public on Saturday, August 29th.

Scary stuff. I wonder how many of these "farms" are in the Sierra. Has to be a bunch.