Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Monday, October 13, 2014 through Thursday, October 16, 2014

INCIDENT: Search Warrants – Outdoor Marijuana Cultivation

LOCATION: Communities of Newberry Springs, Hinkley, Lucerne Valley, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Phelan and Pinion Hills, San Bernardino County

SUSPECT: SEE ATTACHMENT

SUMMARY:
Over a three week period, members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Enforcement Team investigated various properties throughout the High Desert that were suspected of having large outdoor marijuana cultivation operations. The investigation resulted in the service of 21 search warrants at residential properties throughout San Bernardino County, including one search warrant served at a residence in the city of Oxnard. The multi-search warrant operation began Monday, October 13, 2014 at 7:00am. Investigators from the Narcotics Division were joined by San Bernardino County Code Enforcement and personnel from the Victor Valley, Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Barstow and Colorado River patrol stations to carry out the search warrants over the four day operation. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s and California Highway Patrol’s Aviation Division’s also provided assistance throughout this investigation.

Each of the properties searched in the High Desert communities contained large-scale outdoor marijuana cultivations. The plants were growing in unsecured fenced in areas, commonly referred to as “Plywood Grows.” The investigations revealed all of the marijuana cultivation operations were illegal and not in compliance with California medical marijuana laws.

The investigations resulted in total seizures of 1,651 marijuana plants, 1,194 pounds of processed marijuana, 22 firearms, currency, 4 concentrated cannabis extraction labs, concentrated cannabis (wax), methamphetamine, over 50 pounds of marijuana seeds, the recovery of a stolen motorcycle and arrest of 56 suspects. Additional suspects have been identified and have prosecution pending. The amount of marijuana seized at the individual locations suggests the suspects had no intention of abiding by the states medical marijuana laws.

Investigations such as this one conducted by the Marijuana Enforcement Team continue to reveal sophisticated criminal organizations cultivating and distributing marijuana throughout San Bernardino County while attempting to utilize medical marijuana recommendations in an effort to conceal their illicit operation. Investigators regularly find the marijuana is being distributed throughout California without any effort to comply with state laws. Additionally, state and federal laws do not permit the transportation or distribution of marijuana outside of California.

The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivations. San Bernardino County Code Enforcement personnel assisted with administrative enforcement of the County Code violations. The Sheriff’s Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California marijuana laws as well as the San Bernardino County Ordinances regarding marijuana cultivation and distribution. Persons found to be violating state marijuana laws and county ordinances or utilizing California medical marijuana protections under false pretenses are subject to fines, prosecution and seizure of property.


Search warrants served October 13, 2014

49022 Silver Valley Rd, Newberry Springs
307 marijuana plants and 75 lbs processed marijuana seized
Arrested:
Chanthavong, Kngkham – 64 Fresno
Meuangvong, Sam – 48 Fresno
Pethueng, Prasit – 36 Newberry Springs
Lacksanamyxay, Pith – 69 Las Vegas
Sayarath, Khammai – 54 Fresno
Lasichanh, Palina – 44 Fort Worth, Texas
Phimvongsa, Phet – 54 Fountain Valley
Pantawung, Cumah – 44 Fresno
Daoheuang, Phousaeng – 47 Banning
Cum, Tem – 59 Newberry Springs
Keophilavanh, Noukone – 63 Newbery Springs
Vorrachack, Bounnam – 55 Newberry Springs
Douangsavanh, Sengdeuane – 59 Fresno
Xayadeth, Samrane – 54 Fresno
Titlavong, Umpon – 42 Newberry Springs

48077 Palma Vista Rd, Newberry Springs
55 marijuana plants and 5 lbs processed marijuana seized
Arrested:
Ratsphoumy, Vang – 56 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

35605 Fairview Rd, Hinkley
229 marijuana plants, 60 lbs processed marijuana, 16 firearms (3 reported stolen), THC extraction lab, 1 oz concentrated cannabis (wax) and 4 grams methamphetamine seized
Arrested:
Mata, Danny – 23 Hinkley
Quiroz, Abel – 20 Hinkley
Quiroz, Abel Ramirez – 46 Pomona
Arriaga, Hugo – 24 Hinkley
Payan, Jimmy – 21 Hinkley
Rodriguez-Rojo, Walter – 26 Los Angeles

Search warrants served October 14, 2014

31163 Villa Nova Rd, Lucerne Valley
54 marijuana plants, 3 lbs processed marijuana and THC extraction lab seized
Arrested:
Limas-Arreola, Maria – 38 Lucerne Valley
Carlos-Santacruz, Gabin – 25 Lucerne Valley
Asbridge, Lana – 23 Victorville

33354 Haynes Rd, Lucerne Valley
97 marijuana plants and 16 lbs processed marijuana seized
Arrested:
Gonzales, Perfecto – 34 Ontario
Vargas, Victor – 25 Chino
Garcia-Martinez, Jacinto – 48 Unknown
Solis, Luis – 42 Pomona
Gonzalez, Gerardo – 33 Bloomington

15450 Fairlane Rd, Lucerne Valley
138 marijuana plants seized
Arrested:
Calzada, Noe – 35 Lucerne Valley

0 Fairlane Rd, Lucerne Valley
87 marijuana plants seized
Arrested:
Pending

Search warrants served October 15, 2014

23573 Lancelet St, Apple Valley
53 marijuana plants, 350 lbs processed marijuana, 2 firearms and 50 lbs marijuana seeds seized
Arrested:
Miranda-Estrada, Ramiro – 30 Apple Valley
Medina-Guerrero, Francisco – 25 Apple Valley
Cisneros, Ramiro – 52 Apple Valley
Contreras, Martin – 26 Kansas
Contreras-Archiga, Refugio – 55 Oxnard
Galyan, Jose – 19 Apple Valley

20626 Del Oro Rd, Apple Valley
18 marijuana plants, 15 lbs processed marijuana and 3 grams concentrated cannabis (wax) seized
Arrested:
Pending

11715 Cotton Tail Ln, Apple Valley
41 marijuana plants and 50 lbs of processed marijuana seized
Arrested:
Keo, Darren – 60 Signal Hill
Tith, Sony – 62 Bakersfield
Mai, Choun – 60 Apple Valley
Chan, Buthoeun – 54 Bakersfield

9299 7th St, Hesperia
271 marijuana plants and 285 lbs of processed marijuana seized
Arrested:
Bocanegra, Raul – 27 Hesperia
Barreto, Guillermo – 21 Nuevo
Alcauter, Marco – 30 Bellflower
Ortiz, Jose – 25 Bakersfield

14191 Joshua Rd, Hesperia
174 marijuana plants and 44 lbs processed marijuana seized
Arrested:
Pending

Search warrants served October 16, 2014

6633 Chevoit Rd, Phelan
75 lbs processed marijuana and 1 rifle seized
Arrested:
Toscano, Juan – 44 Santa Ana
Mendoza, Daniel – 22 San Pablo

13922 Matizila Ct, Phelan
5 lbs processed marijuana, 2 grams methamphetamine seized and 1 stolen motorcycle recovered
Arrested:
Pending

14234 Shandin Rd, Phelan
80 lbs processed marijuana and currency seized
Arrested:
Garcia, Juan – 29 Phelan
Orazco, Lina – 26 Phelan

14188 Shandin Rd, Phelan
THC extraction lab and 1 rifle seized
Arrested:
Villanueva, Joe – 37 Phelan

13122 Primavera Rd, Pinion Hills
120 lbs processed marijuana seized
Arrested:
Paz, Leo – 56 Perris
Botello, Miguel – 30 Lake Elsinore
Segundo-Botello, Augustine – 25 Perris

10573 Paramount Rd, Phelan
1 marijuana plant, 1 lb processed marijuana and 1 rifle seized
Arrested:
Pending

10631 Paramount Rd, Phelan
126 Plants, 10 lbs processed marijuana, THC extraction lab and 1 shotgun seized
Arrested:
Orozco, Rafael – 62 Phelan


Anyone with information regarding the above investigations or other illegal cultivation locations is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division at (909)890-4840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Sheriff’s Public Affairs

Phone No. (909)387-3700


John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department