Operation Coordinated with Mariposa County

This week National Park Service Rangers and Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Deputies began a joint operation to raid a large marijuana cultivation site in the El Portal area. These sites contribute to the introduction of insecticides, herbicides, and unwanted fertilizers into the natural ecosystem and impact both NPS and USFS lands. The purpose of the operation is to remove the illegal cultivation site; document the environmental damage; take into custody any individuals found in the site; and improve public safety.

This is the second cultivation site found on National Park Service property so far this season, and approximately the eighth site found in the Highway 140 corridor this year. We are requesting the help of all Yosemite area residents as we have reason to believe that individuals associated with the cultivation site may flee the area.

The community and employees can provide tips and leads to the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center at 209-379-1992. Things to be looking for include:

• A person who appears suddenly and then retreats into the brush
• Hitchhikers that appear as if they have been in the woods for a long period of time or adversely experiencing heat related emergencies
• Individuals dressed in camouflage or clothing too warm for the weather (long sleeves and jeans when the general population is wearing shorts)
• Hitchhikers that lack traditional outdoor equipment (i.e. fishing or climbing gear, sleeping bag, tents)

Please notify NPS Dispatch and advise them of the location, time and direction of travel when you observed those individuals. Your tips and leads are greatly appreciated as we seek to eliminate the resource damage in and adjacent to Yosemite.