On April 24, El Centro sector Border Patrol agents and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) collaborated in raiding a massive marijuana growing operation. The raid occurred at approximately 1 a.m., after a citizen’s report of possible outdoor marijuana growing operation.
Agents utilizing all-terrain vehicles met with a BLM ranger within the vicinity. After reviewing maps and discussing area information, agents began a systematic search of the area and discovered irrigation tubing leading out of the Whitewater River. Agents followed the tubing which lead to an outdoor growing operation of approximately 2,000 marijuana plants, ranging from seedlings to plants measuring two feet high. A search of the area located two abandoned campsites, tools, a two way radio, irrigation tubing, and fertilizer.
U.S. Border Patrol El Centro sector is working with the Drug Enforcement Administration in an ongoing investigation.