Full Notification

Date: June 11, 2014
Incident: Organized Marijuana Grow Investigation
Location(s): Union City, Hayward and Fremont

Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force Agents arrest four suspects in large-scale multi-residence organized marijuana grow.

In early June, Union City patrol officers received information regarding a large scale illegal marijuana operation. The information was referred to the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force (SACMCTF), who is responsible for investigating crimes associated with large scale drug operations. On June 11, 2014, the investigation concluded after SACMCTF executed five search warrants in three cities, resulting in the arrest of four suspects associated with the multi-residence indoor marijuana grow investigation.

SACMCTF agents executed the search warrants for the residences, at the following locations:

1. 45900 block of Sentinel Place, Fremont, CA
2. 2700 block of Breaker Lane, Hayward, CA
3. 1000 block of Boyle Street, Union City, CA
4. 30500 block of Mallorca Way, Union City, CA
5. 31300 block of Beacon Bay Drive, Union City, CA

This is a summary of the searches and subsequent arrests:

At the Sentinel Place, Fremont, CA, residence agents seized 2.8 ounces of processed marijuana, 5 grams of suspected cocaine, $1,294 in US currency, two computers, three cellular phones, an electronic money counter and indicia. At the time of the search warrant the residence was being converted into a marijuana growing facility and contained ballasts and lights, as well as marijuana growing equipment. The dry wall next to the electrical source had been removed in preparation for an illegal bypass. Justin CHEN (37 yrs./male/Fremont) was arrested in the residence for 11358 H&S (cultivation of marijuana), 11359 H&S (possession of marijuana for sales), 498 PC (grand theft of utility power) and 11350 H&S (possession of cocaine). Tung LOW (39 yrs./male/Fremont) was also arrested in the residence for 11350 H&S (possession of cocaine).

At the Breaker Lane, Hayward, CA, residence agents seized 492 marijuana plants, 2.2 pounds of processed marijuana, $660 in US currency, two cellular phones and indicia. The residence contained 56 ballasts with an equal number of lights containing 1000 watt bulbs and marijuana growing equipment. It was found that the electrical line to the residence had been illegally bypassed. Hui Zhu ZHAO (33 yrs./ female/ Fremont) was arrested in the residence for 11358 H&S (cultivation of marijuana) and 11359 H&S (possession of marijuana for sales).

At the Boyle Street, Union City, CA, residence agents seized 199 marijuana plants, $20,229 in US currency, a 2014 Honda Odyssey, a cellular phone and indicia. The residence contained 23 ballasts with an equal number of lights containing 1000 watt bulbs and marijuana growing equipment. It was found that the electrical line to the residence had been previously illegally bypassed, but had been corrected. Pang CHAN (41 yrs./male/San Leandro) was arrested in the residence for 11358 H&S (cultivation of marijuana) and 11359 H&S (possession of marijuana for sales).

At the Mallorca Way, Union City, CA, residence agents seized indicia. It was found that the electrical line to the residence had been previously illegally bypassed, but had been corrected.

At the Beacon Bay Drive, Union City, CA, residence agents found that the electrical line to the residence had been previously illegally bypassed, but had been corrected.

In summary, a total of four suspects were arrested for felony charges and 691 marijuana plants, 2.4 pounds of processed marijuana, 5 grams of suspected cocaine, $22,183 in US currency and a 2014 Honda Odyssey were seized during the course of the investigation.

Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force is comprised of agents from California Department of Justice, Fremont, Union City, Newark, Alameda County Probation and CHP. To learn more about the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force Office visit www.fremont.gov/TaskForce or 510-790-6660.


Press/media contact: PIO Geneva Bosques, Fremont Police Department 510-790-6957