Columbia Drug Bust
Columbia, CA– A father and son from Columbia were arrested yesterday on numerous charges including cultivation of marijuana.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office reports that agents from the Tuolumne Narcotics Team (TNT) executed a search warrant at 21827 Good Luck Mine Road. Upon arrival, investigators found 58-year-old Craig Dean Carter and his son 29-year-old Tarion Michael Renier, in the process of harvesting and packaging marijuana.
TNT agents recovered 90 pounds of processed marijuana with a street value of approximately $270,000. They also seized 160 grams of hash worth around $5,000.
Forty pounds of marijuana “shake” often utilized in the hash making process was seized along with a firearm, scales, packaging materials, cash, and records of drug sales. A small amount of methamphetamine was also seized.
Detectives say that while both suspects claimed to be operating under the medical marijuana umbrella, both men were clearly involved in a commercial type marijuana cultivation and processing operation.
The suspect’s property was found to have security fencing, numerous video surveillance systems, and several dogs.
Both Carter and Renier were arrested on felony charges including cultivation of marijuana, possession for sales of marijuana, and possession of controlled substances.
