UPPER LAKE, Calif. – This week the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force located and eradicated 818 marijuana plants from multiple locations in Upper Lake.

Lt. Steve Brooks said that on Monday narcotics detectives responded to 12 separate properties in the Upper Lake area, which contained marijuana plants.

Several of the properties were identified during prior overflight missions. The purpose of the overflights is to seek out probable illicit marijuana growing operations, Brooks said.

During the overflights detectives noticed that 11 of the properties were in violation of County Code 2978, which is the medical marijuana cultivation ordinance. Brooks said the marijuana was being cultivated on vacant lands, which were absent any dwellings or structures.

Detectives eradicated 95 marijuana plants from two parcels located on Elk Mountain Road, 113 marijuana plants from four parcels on Bachelor Valley Road, 132 marijuana plants from two parcels on Rancheria Road, 88 marijuana plants from one parcel on Pitney Lane, 286 marijuana plants from two parcels on Clover Valley Road and 104 marijuana plants from one parcel on Mahoney Drive, according to Brooks.

Brooks said Lake County Code Enforcement assisted detectives and red tagged two of the locations.

Detectives searched each of the grow sites and were unable to locate any of the suspects or additional witnesses, Brooks said.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.