Mendocino County sheriff’s deputies and other investigators served a search warrant on a marijuana grow at a home on Tomki Road, north of Redwood Valley, on the morning of Tuesday 21 July 2015.[1] Army Sgt. Robert “Bowe” Bergdahl, on authorised leave and visiting old friends there, was among the people detained during the raid.[1] The sheriff’s office said the investigation found no evidence connecting Bergdahl to the grow, and he was released and returned to the Army.[2] The sheriff’s office delivered Bergdahl to Army personnel, and he returned to his duty station at Fort Sam Houston in Texas the following day.[2]

Sheriff Allman said nearly 200 plants were found at the residence, and the Los Angeles Times reported deputies found 181 full-grown plants.[1] Investigators said about 180 mature marijuana plants were growing outdoors on the property, which they believed was being cultivated for commercial benefit.[2] Deputies arrested one person at the property on marijuana cultivation, according to sheriff’s Capt. Greg Van Patten.[3]

NBC Bay Area reported that Bergdahl had arrived at the farm the previous Friday and that the Anderson Valley Advertiser first reported his presence at the raid.[4] Army Times reported that Bergdahl was serving under charges of desertion and misbehaviour before the enemy at the time of the raid, and that his Article 32 hearing was set for 17 September.[2]