Authorities say they’ve broken up an illegal cannabis growing operation that had links to a number of communities on the Central Coast. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Fish and Wildlife investigators say they first learned of the operation about a month ago. They got a number of search warrants, and over two days served them at locations which included Santa Maria, Nipomo, and Arroyo Grande.
Some 2800 plants being grown indoors and outdoors were seized and destroyed. Hundreds of pounds of processed cannabis was also confiscated. And, investigators say they also found a butane honey oil lab, which they say is dangerous because of the potential for accidental explosions. No arrests were made, but criminal complaints have been turned over to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s office for review.