Tulare Sheriff’s nail pot grower, residents bypass meter for operation

When Tulare Sheriffs responded to the 2800 block of E. Oakdale in Tulare on December 6 at 10 a.m., they found more than they bargained for. They were in possession of a search warrant for marijuana and were not disappointed. After being tipped off, a probation search was conducted at the residence on an unrelated case.

Detectives, upon arrival, found rooms inside the home that had been turned into an indoor marijuana grow, but were unable to locate the person who was responsible for the marijuana. According to the sheriff’s report, the operation was quite sophisticated, using air conditioning units, CO2 generators and grow lights which were on timers. Sheriff Deputies said they found 118 marijuana plants. Each plant, according to estimates, would produce about a half a pound of marijuana. Street value, according to the report, would be in excess of $4,000 per pound. The plants were eradicated.

As deputies continued the investigation, they found that the suspects had bypassed the electrical meter and were in essence stealing power to run both the lighting and electrical systems. Edison employees estimated that an operation of this size would use more than $1,500 a month in power charges. Addition charges will be filed for the theft of electricity, deputies said.

Suspects are at large, and one medical marijuana card was located at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Holguin at the Sheriff’s Department. Information may also be submitted anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow program. Send a voice or text message to 559-725-4194 or email tcso@tipnow.com

“This is just one of these cases that leads to discovering more crime,” said Sergeant Chris Douglass, Public Information Officer.

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