Deputies: Pot plants seized in Merced linked to ‘organized crime’

Thousands of marijuana plants were seized Tuesday from numerous makeshift greenhouses at an abandoned farmhouse just south of the city.

Merced County sheriff’s deputies and the Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant about 12:30 p.m. in the 600 block of Vassar Avenue, Sgt. Ray Framstad said.

“There was nobody here by the time we got in and there were enough locks and (obstructions) that, by the time we got back to the (grow areas), anyone who may have been here would’ve had plenty of time to run away,” Framstad told the Sun-Star.

Investigators believe the grow was connected to “an organized criminal operation,” and said there was no medical marijuana paperwork anywhere at the site.

Behind the abandoned home, deputies found three homemade greenhouses constructed of thick plastic sheets, held together by PVC pipes and wooden beams.

Investigators found about 1,800 to 2,000 plants, which, Framstad said, could produce at least one pound each of clipped marijuana buds. He estimated the grow on Vassar Avenue to be worth $200,000 or more.

Deputies later found about 2,000 more plants on the same property, Framstad said.

Led by Detective Chris Sziraki, deputies located the Vassar Avenue gardens during routine air patrols, Framstad said.

Investigators believe the site had been used as a marijuana grow for “at least several years,” and said the growers likely were harvesting plants at least three times each year.

Authorities also served search warrants at homes in Winton and Le Grand on Tuesday and seized more than 7,000 plants total, Framstad said.

Deputies said spring is typically the time of year when they begin seizing more illegal marijuana plants. Framstad encouraged the public to contact the Sheriff’s Office with any questions or to report any suspicious growing operations.

He said deputies are sensitive to the needs of medical marijuana users and said investigators are willing to examine grows to help property owners make sure they are in compliance with the county’s 12-plant limit.

“We’re not looking to put everyone in jail who grows marijuana,” Framstad said. “We’re just trying to enforce the laws and cut down on the illegal activities that are associated with grows like this one.”

Anyone who wants to speak with deputies regarding any marijuana-related issues can call (209) 385-7445.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Deputies: Pot plants seized in Merced linked to ‘organized crime’."