Three Brothers Indicted For Growing Marijuana In Park (NPS Digest)

On Thursday, October 15th, following a four-month-long joint investigation by NPS Investigative Services Branch agents and Sequoia and Kings Canyon rangers, three brothers were indicted on charges of conspiracy to manufacture and cultivate marijuana on federal lands. Osvaldo Arias-Diaz, German Arias-Diaz and Jose Arias-Diaz, all from Stockton, California, were arrested in connection with two separate grow sites found within Sequoia National Park. Investigations began in early June when the two sites were identified within the Dorst Creek drainage of Sequoia National Park. On August 5th, they were raided and 3,545 marijuana plants were eradicated. During the raid, a search warrant was served at the camp site and items were collected as evidence. On October 6th, an additional search warrant was served at their Stockton residence, where all three men were arrested. During the search, additional marijuana plants, processed marijuana, cultivation supplies and four firearms were found and seized as evidence. At the time of the search warrant, eight adults and five young children were living in the house. Providing valuable assistance in the case were agents from both the Central Valley Marijuana Investigative Team and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Contact Information
Name: Adrienne Freeman, Acting Public Affairs Specialist