El Dorado County - The El Dorado Sheriff’s Office reported Friday that narcotics detectives “located and eradicated” approximately 32,000 marijuana plants in El Dorado Hills on June 20. The large outdoor grow was located in an area off Salmon Falls Road and Dorado Ridge Trail, approximately 12 miles north of the Amador County border. The operation was first noticed when detectives discovered approximately 1 mile of irrigation lines used to supply the plants with water from remote watering sites, such as damned creeks. This eventually led them to the operation, which spanned over a mile across private, State, and Federal properties. The El Dorado Sheriff’s Office estimates that 32,000 plants would have had a street value upwards of $58 million. That’s approximately $1,800 for every pound of marijuana. “Marijuana grows of this type are of always of great concern not only for the safety of the community but the environment. Marijuana growers are very protective individuals and will protect their crops by dangerous means,” said Lieutenant Bryan Gomitz in Friday’s release. Gomitz said there are no suspects in custody at this time but the size and style of the marijuana grow suggests Mexican Nationals are responsible. Upon discovery, many of the plants were airlifted out and destroyed immediately. A number of agencies were involved in the operation, including El Dorado County Fire, California Fish and Game and several private property owners. The El Dorado Sheriff will continue to investigate who was behind the operation. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.