It's a situation that's bringing to light two recent controversial issues: medical marijuana, and the governor's plan for realignment.
"Right now, across the nation, California provides about 80% of the marijuana to our nation... About 80%."
Sheriff Mims says a lot of it is coming from these pot farms being grown on local farmlands. She says the land is leased, sometimes from out of town land owners, for the purpose of growing medical marijuana.
But Madera Sheriff John Anderson says that's not what's happening.
"These people aren't here to grow medical marijuana. They are criminals."
Last year, there were 78 arrests and convictions in Madera county.
But in Tulare county, there were eight homicides connected to this medical marijuana growing.
In 2011, nearly 200 marijuana grow sites were identified on farmland in Madera and Fresno counties.
Sheriff Mims: "We don't want to be know as the marijuana capital of the nation. And frankly right now, that's how we're known."
Just one acre of marijuana is said to equal nearly $20 million dollars.
Some of these grow sites were guarded with improvised explosive devices and booby traps.
But the dangers go even further.
Michael Keitz, Madera District Attorney: "Gangs are very tuned in that there's marijuana growing in certain places, and they will go and attempt to rip them off. They either want the marijuana or they want the money from it."
Medical marijuana dispensaries are now illegal in Fresno county, leaving patients to find another means to get their medicine.
But with this operation, officials say the intent is not to go after those who are legitimately sick, or to go after innocent land owners.
Senator Tom Berryhill is a farmer himself, and says farmers can help get these pot growers evicted.
"The last thing I want is to have some illegal activity going on and having a government come in and being able to confiscate my ground."
As if fighting these pot growers wasn't enough, law enforcement is also having to deal with some of them being released early from jail because of the state's realignment plan.
Today's briefing was a joint effort by Senator Berryhill, the Fresno and Madera sheriff's departments, local DA's and US attorneys.
They're hoping to generate some legislation regarding these farmland grow sites.
Deputies say farmers who have pot farms growing near their property should contact their local sheriff's office right away.
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