The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department said its Covert Investigations Unit served a search warrant on an illegal grow discovered in a remote area near Mt. Hamilton Road.[1] The grow was an illegal creekside grow in a remote part of Santa Clara County, served earlier in the month.[1] No suspects were located at the site.[1]

Inside a makeshift greenhouse built from tarps and plastic sheeting tied to trees, officers found about 720 marijuana plants.[1] The sheriff’s office said the 720 plants were illegally grown, with evidence of illegal water diversion and pollution.[2] The plants have since been fully eradicated.[1]

Deputies first received a tip about the grow in August.[1] Using the sheriff’s Star 1 helicopter and assistance from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, detectives confirmed numerous plants were being cultivated on the private property.[1] Detectives also determined that water was being diverted illegally from a nearby creek.[1] Marijuana Eradication Team and Fish and Wildlife officers had to hike several miles through rough terrain to reach the site.[1] Detectives completed the investigation and secured a warrant to remove the grow.[1]