Thousands of cannabis plants seized from illegal grow in Lompico

A large-scale illegal cannabis operation was shut down in Santa Cruz County’s Lompico area.

On Jan. 10, law enforcement officials located 1956 cannabis plants, 37 pounds of processed plant material for manufacturing and 46 pounds of processed cannabis flower at a cultivation operation in the 11100 block of Lake Boulevard. The site also had 159 1000-watt unpermitted high intensity discharge lights, which authorities said posed a significant fire risk to the forested surrounding neighborhood.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the unpermitted and unregulated indoor cannabis cultivation site back in Dec.

“The site was not permitted by state or local authorities, and it is believed the cannabis was destined for the unregulated cannabis market,” said county officials.

The case remains under investigation.