Authorities have removed 2,377 marijuana plants and nearly 2,000 pounds of toxic debris from an illegal cultivation site that has damaged 13 acres in Sequoia National Park, California. The operation, uncovered by park rangers and Bureau of Land Management agents, involved a well-organized drug-trafficking network that has plagued the park for nearly two decades. The site, which officials estimate could have yielded plants worth up to $850 million, was found to be riddled with dangerous chemicals, including a banned insecticide, and contained evidence of poaching, illegal trails, and extensive water diversion from nearby streams.
Authorities first discovered the marijuana operation in 2024 and attempted to dismantle it, but did not fully remove it due to the presence of hazardous materials. This year’s raid uncovered a semi-automatic pistol, makeshift campsites with kitchen areas, and a gallon of Methamidophos, an insecticide banned in the U.S. over 15 years ago. The environmental impact of the operation is significant, with runoff from the site potentially contaminating surrounding waters and exposing park visitors and wildlife to toxins. The National Park Service warned that each marijuana plant can consume up to eight gallons of water daily, diverting critical resources from native vegetation and wildlife habitats.
While no arrests have been made, the investigation into the operation is ongoing, and the National Park Service is urging anyone with information about illegal cultivation on park land to report it via the NPS tip line. The U.S. Department of Justice has also charged seven Chinese nationals in a multi-million-dollar marijuana trafficking ring linked to similar operations, highlighting the broader scale of the issue. The case underscores the challenges faced by federal agencies in combating illegal drug cultivation within protected natural areas, where the balance between law enforcement and environmental preservation remains a complex and pressing concern.