Last week, officials dismantled a vast illegal marijuana growing operation deep within Sequoia National Park, extracting thousands of plants and nearly a ton of toxic waste that had marred the natural area.
The team removed 2,377 mature marijuana plants and nearly 2,000 pounds of waste and setup from a site impacting about 13 acres of the safeguarded California park, the National Park Service (NPS) reported on Thursday. Most of the debris was manually removed and airlifted by helicopter with help from NPS law enforcement and agents from the Bureau of Land Management, the agency noted.
Officials indicated that the cultivation was typical of an organized drug-trafficking network—a recurring problem in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for nearly two decades. Over this period, close to 300,000 plants, valued at around $850 million, have been eradicated within these parks.
The marijuana site was uncovered by authorities in 2024 and, although initially raided then, wasn’t fully cleared until this year due to hazardous chemicals’ presence, stated the NPS. Upon returning, the crews found a semi-automatic gun, temporary campsites with cooking spots, alongside chemicals including about a gallon of the banned insecticide Methamidophos, which has been outlawed in the U.S. for over 15 years.
A sign of the National Park Service hangs at the entrance of a national park on May 21, 2024. (National Park Service)
Water diverted from creeks to support both the marijuana plants and camps could have been used to nourish local wildlife and park plants, the NPS explained. Each marijuana plant can use between six to eight gallons of water daily, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Fox News Digital reached out to the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management for more information.
No suspects have been arrested, and the investigation remains active. Individuals with knowledge regarding illegal cultivation in park areas are encouraged to contact the NPS tip line at 888-653-0009.
