Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Friday, October 2, 2015

INCIDENT: Search Warrants – Outdoor Marijuana Cultivation

LOCATION: Landers & Twentynine Palms (Unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County)

SUSPECT(S): *See below for additional information*

SUMMARY:
Members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Enforcement conducted investigations resulting in the service of 2 search warrants at residential properties in the communities of Landers and Twentynine Palms. The locations were found to have large outdoor marijuana cultivations on the properties. Investigators determined both of the marijuana cultivation operations were illegal and not in compliance with California medical marijuana laws and/or the County of San Bernardino ordinance prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivation.

The investigations resulted in the seizure of over 350 marijuana plants, 200 pounds of recently harvested marijuana being packaged for sales and the arrests of 6 suspects. The large amount of marijuana seized at the individual locations suggests the suspects had no intention of abiding by California’s medical marijuana laws and were strictly for-profit operations. Many of the suspects were utilizing fictitious medical marijuana recommendations in an effort to deceive law enforcement personnel into thinking the operations were legitimate. At the Cypress Lane address deputies arrived as the 5 suspects were in the process of preparing the marijuana to be trimmed and packaged for sale. At this time, it is unknown where the marijuana was being taken to, but it is believed that it would have been sold illegally on the street. The suspect contacted by deputies at the Canyon Road address was hired to watch over and care for the property by the owner. He claimed to have minimal responsibilities when dealing with and caring for the marijuana plants. The locations were not related to each other and determined to be separate cultivation operations.

The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivations. San Bernardino County Code Enforcement personnel assisted with the cultivation investigations for administrative enforcement of County Code violations. The Sheriff’s Gangs/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/or county ordinances are subject to fines, prosecution and seizure of property.

1863 Cypress Lane, Landers
223 marijuana plants and 200 pounds of processed marijuana seized
J. Cruz Herrera, age 33, (Perris, CA), Juan Villasenor, age 43, (Los Angeles, CA), Francisco Trejo, age 28, (Hollister, CA), Huber Ortiz, age 25, (Romoland, CA) & Walter Sequeiria, age 46, (Arvin, CA) charged with Cultivation of Marijuana / Possession of Marijuana for Sales/Transportation/Distribution *All suspects were arrested and booked*

4215 Canyon Road, Twentynine Palms
157 marijuana plants seized
Carlos Moreno, age 50, (Twentynine Palms) charged with Cultivation of Marijuana *Charges will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office*

Anyone with information regarding the above investigations or other illegal cultivation locations is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/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
Case/DR: 621500542 / 621500544
Phone No. (909)387-3700

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