(News Release)
State Park Peace Officers Uncover Illegal Cannabis Operation in the Santa Cruz Mountains
1,800 cannabis plants located and destroyed at Castle Rock State Park
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – California State Park Peace Officers uncovered an illegal cannabis cultivation operation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, destroying more than 1,800 cannabis plants. The reconnaissance and eradication operation took place on June 18, 2020, and was located in a rugged area of Castle Rock State Park near the headwaters of the San Lorenzo River. No suspects were on scene and no arrests have been made.
Illegal cannabis cultivations are very harmful to the environment and the wildlife that live in these habitats, and can potentially be harmful to humans as well. This latest operation revealed resource damages that included water diversion, terrain manipulation, native plant damage, and the use of harmful chemicals. State Parks will be actively rehabilitating the environmental damage from this unlawful activity.
