On Friday, September 16, 2016, at approximately 12:44 p.m., Yuma County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a residence in the 10500 block of E. Sapphire Drive in reference to an unknown disturbance.
While on scene, Deputies observed marijuana and a marijuana grow operation in plain view. Deputies contacted the Yuma County Narcotics Task Force (YCNTF)—which is a multi-agency task force comprised of officers and agents from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, the Somerton Police Department, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations—to assist with the narcotics investigation.
YCNTF Investigators served a narcotics search warrant at the residence which led to the discovery of a full scale marijuana grow operation complete with artificial lighting, a timer, ballasts, water jugs, watering can, fertilizers, various chemicals, and marijuana seeds; all of which were located in a travel trailer on the property which was being used as the grow room. Twelve marijuana plants were also contained in the grow room at the time. Approximately 1 ounce of marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia were also located in the main residence.
Evan Esparza, 31, of Yuma, Arizona, was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center for production of marijuana, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.