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Plumas County authorizes DEA partnership to target illicit marijuana grows; board debates scope and costs
Summary
Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing the sheriff to sign an agreement with the DEA to support illegal marijuana eradication and suppression efforts; discussion covered targeting of national‑forest grows, environmental harms from chemicals, intelligence and air‑support costs, and uncertainty about federal funding.
The Plumas County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the sheriff to execute an agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration (U.S. Department of Justice) to support illegal marijuana eradication and suppression.
Sheriff’s office staff said the agreement is intended to target illicit grows — often large outdoor operations in the national forest — that divert waterways and introduce hazardous chemicals into the environment. A sheriff representative described the operations as high‑risk, sometimes involving hundreds to thousands of plants and dangerous pesticides such as carbofuran, and said eradication efforts typically require aerial support and interagency coordination.
Supervisors asked detailed questions about scope, targets and funding. One board member raised human‑trafficking concerns tied to organized grows; another asked whether Plumas is part of multi‑county task forces that operate with neighboring counties. Staff said the county has worked with other counties and allied agencies on eradication and that the number and size of grows fluctuate year‑to‑year based on conditions. Typical reimbursements for operations cited in the discussion were on the order of tens of thousands of dollars, and staff warned that air time and specialized equipment drive costs.
Despite those concerns, the board approved the agreement by roll call. Staff noted federal funding streams can be volatile and that a state webinar on grant status was imminent.
Action and next steps: The DEA agreement was approved; the sheriff's office will proceed with jurisdictional coordination and seek available reimbursement for eradication operations.
