Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Operation Coordinated with Mariposa County

This week National Park Service Rangers and Mariposa County Sheriff’s

Office Deputies began a joint operation to raid a large marijuana

cultivation site in the El Portal area. These sites contribute to the

introduction of insecticides, herbicides, and unwanted fertilizers into the

natural ecosystem and impact both NPS and USFS lands. The purpose of the

operation is to remove the illegal cultivation site; document the

environmental damage; take into custody any individuals found in the site;

and improve public safety.

This is the second cultivation site found on National Park Service property

so far this season, and approximately the eighth site found in the Highway

140 corridor this year. We are requesting the help of all Yosemite area

residents as we have reason to believe that individuals associated with the

cultivation site may flee the area.

The community and employees can provide tips and leads to the Yosemite

Emergency Communications Center at 209-379-1992. Things to be looking for

include

A person who appear suddenly and then retreats into the brush

Hitchhikers that appear as if they have been in the woods for a long

period of time or adversely experiencing heat related emergencies

Individuals dressed in camouflage or clothing too warm for the weather

(long sleeves and jeans when the general population is wearing

shorts)

Hitchhikers that lack traditional outdoor equipment (i.e. fishing or

climbing gear, sleeping bag, tents)

Please notify NPS Dispatch and advise them of the location, time and

direction of travel when you observed those individuals. Your tips and

leads are greatly appreciated as we seek to eliminate the resource damage

in and adjacent to Yosemite.