On Wednesday, August 1, 2012, Turlock Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET) served a narcotics search warrant in the 200 Block of Montana St. Investigators located a large outdoor marijuana garden. The residence sat on an approximately one-acre parcel. A majority of the parcel was utilized for growing marijuana. Investigators retrieved five hundred and twenty-seven maturing marijuana plants that seems as though they’d been produced for a bigger cannabis yield, as well as finding processed marijuana, and indicia of sales.
“This residence was within approximately 400 feet of Cunningham Elementary School,” stated Turlock Police Department spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis. “Even qualified patients cannot cultivate marijuana within a 600-foot radius of a school.”
Michelle Roman Jimenez, 31 years old, was arrested at the residence. She was later booked into the Stanislaus County Jail where she was charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession for sales of marijuana. The investigation is still active and other arrests are anticipated.
According to Officer Lewis, should the amount of marijuana been harvested and sold on the street, its value could have been in excess of $750,000.
Citizens with information on drug activity can call the Turlock Police Drug Hotline at 668-5550 extension 6117. Callers can remain anonymous if desired.
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.