On October 19, 2018 Sergeant Ray Framstad and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Eradication Team served a search warrant at a property in the 1000 block of Gurr Road.

Several suspects ran from the property when deputies arrived. The Team found over 200 marijuana plants both outdoors and indoors, also 140 pounds of finished product were located along with one firearm.

There were 7 dogs on the property and a Kit Fox was also found locked in a small cage. Additionally, a Kit Fox pelt was found laying displayed in the backyard. Sergeant Mark Taylor and Animal Control Officer McMillan responded and recognized the Kit Fox as a federally protected animal.

The Kit fox is listed as an endangered species. The Kit Fox and pelt were turned over to the Department of Fish and Game for further investigation and possible violations of federal law.