Northern California pot garden raid turns into a shooting, between Mexican Mafia and a Siskiyou County Sheriff Sergeant.

The Pioneer Press, at the very top of the State of California, grants permission for this article to be copied and forwarded.

Pioneer Press, Fort Jones, California
Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Vol. 32, No. 46
Page A1, column 2

-- Small garden turned in by "hunter" turns into large plantation raid with shooting.

By Daniel Webster, Pioneer Press editor

Tuesday, September 21, was a day that had Scott Valley up in arms and residents of Etna locking their doors in fear of an armed Mexican Mafia pot grower on the loose. Etna is a rural town of just 750 and is located at the very top of the State of California. Students at Etna Elementary were kept indoors as cops flew past the school at a high rate of speed.

While the sheriff’s department was out looking in the wilderness for plantations, a reported "hunter" notified the department that a marijuana garden was spotted just three miles out of Etna up Sawyers Bar Road, near Grease Flats.

"We weren’t even looking so close to town," Sheriff Rick Riggins told the Pioneer Press. The close proximity took them by surprise.

Sgt. Mike Gilley and Deputy Frank Barrett were sent out to check out the grow, which was believed to be 25 to 100 plants. The two separated at the site, with Barrett at the top, where he ran into a couple of guys, who were suspected of working the plantation.

Although Barrett had his K-9 with him, he chose to not let him go out of concern for the dog’s safety.

Gilley told him to take cover and wait, according to the sheriff, as they called for the helicopter.

Gilley then saw one of the men, an armed Mexican dressed in camouflage coming down the mountain.

"He could see the rifle with a scope," said Riggins.

As the suspect brought his rifle up to shooting position, Gilley fired off three rounds.

"It doesn’t look like anyone was hit," Riggins said.

The suspects escaped.

One thing is patently clear to Riggins following the incident, he and his department "aren’t going to be caught out numbered" again.

Sheriff deputies confiscated items found in the plantation and its camp.

As the marijuana, tools and supplies were dropped down by the helicopter, the sheriff’s staff went through the items.

It appeared that this plantation may be associated with the other recent raids, as identical tools, avocado fertilizer and not books were found in all gardens. A second rifle, a .22, was also found.

Approximately 2,100 plants were seized and ultimately turned over to federal authorities, Sheriff Riggins said.

The sheriff’s department Special Response Team was brought in to secure the area and California Highway Patrol completely closed down Sawyers Bar Road in the area, causing travelers to either wait for hours or take an alternative route through Cecilville to the Salmon River country.