On January 20, 2015 the Los Banos Police Department and the Merced Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force served two search warrants related to indoor marijuana growing operations in the City of Los Banos.
Two sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operations were discovered; one in the 1700 Block of Mills Drive and the other in the 300 Block of North 1st Street. Officers discovered an illegal electrical bypass at each residence, a total of approximately 600 marijuana plants, and seized approximately 115 pounds of processed marijuana, having an estimated street value of approximately $90,000.00.
“These operations bring a variety of hazards to our neighborhoods, and the electrical bypass setups can catch these houses on fire. Officer Marcelino Cortez was the lead investigator in these cases and is looking into the possibility that these operations may be related.”
-Ray Reyna, Police Commander
No suspected are in custody related to these cases. Anyone with information regarding these crimes are encouraged to contact Officer Marcelino Cortez at (209) 827-7070.
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
