January 18, 2022 - The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reports between January 10, 2022, and January 16, 2022, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department - Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), along with San Bernardino Sheriff's deputies from several different Patrol Stations, served 18 search warrants at various locations in Lucerne Valley, Wonder Valley, Adelanto, Hesperia, Twentynine Palms, and Helendale.  MET personnel had received numerous complaints about large outdoor and indoor marijuana cultivations in these areas.  Over this past week, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's personnel located and arrested 15 suspects.  Investigators seized 7,095 marijuana plants, 5,045.5 pounds of processed marijuana, 11 guns, 1,583 grams of concentrated marijuana, and over $5,600.00 in cash.  Investigators eradicated a total of 63 greenhouses found at these locations, as well as 2 THC extraction labs.  Investigators located one live fragmentation hand grenade, which was destroyed in place by deputies from the Sheriff's Arson/Bomb Division.

The investigations revealed the cannabis cultivations were not in compliance with California's Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) and San Bernardino County's ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity.  San Bernardino County has a law prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity, which includes growing marijuana plants outdoors.  

The Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California's cannabis laws and San Bernardino County's ordinance regarding cannabis cultivation and distribution.  Persons found guilty of violating the state law and county ordinance are subject to fines, prosecution, and seizure of property.  

Property owners who are growing marijuana or are aware their tenants are growing marijuana on their properties in violation of the state law and local ordinances may also be subject to civil or criminal sanctions.  Property owners are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement or code compliance agency to confirm if cultivating cannabis is prohibited or allowed under specific regulations.

The suspects were cited or booked on charges of Cultivation of Cannabis, over six plants, Possession for Sales of Marijuana, Illegal Water Discharge, Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, and Conspiracy.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909)387-8400 or NARC-MET@sbcsd.org. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave the information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

Related: San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Operation Hammer Strike, Week 19, Seizes Over 3,361 Pounds of Processed Marijuana and 92 Pounds of Psilocybin Mushrooms - 15 Suspects, Including a Modesto Man Arrested



Refer: Sheriff's Public Affairs

Station: Gangs/Narcotics Division

Phone No. (909) 387-3700  

Case No. 652200036
                             652200037
                             652200038
                             652200040
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                             652200043
                             652200044
                             652200045
                             652200046
                             652200047
                             652200048
                             652200052
                             652200054
                             652200055
                             652200056
                             652200057
                             652200061

Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department