San Bernardino National Forest, CA, August 27, 2013 – In the predawn hours of August 22, the Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team conducted an eradication operation near Butler Creek, about four miles west of the Big Bear Lake Dam. With assistance from the U.S. Forest Service, the DEA and the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting, investigators seized nearly 13,000 mature plants. The water source was Butler Creek, which had been dammed to pool the water and feed into irrigation tubes.
No suspects have been identified, but camping equipment and an abundance of trash provided evidence that they had been living near the crop. They had also done extensive clearing, causing irreversible damage to the forest.
Sheriff John McMahon called the destruction of natural resources for financial gain “unacceptable.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division at (909) 890-4840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
