#SBCSD Marijuana Enforcement Team Seized 3,389 Marijuana Plants in Phelan & Pinion Hills. Various Suspects Arrested.
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 4, 2014 through Wednesday, August 13, 2014
INCIDENT: Search Warrants – Outdoor Marijuana Cultivation
LOCATION: Phelan and Pinion Hills Communities, San Bernardino County
SUSPECTS: Wilfredo Moreno – 31, Juan Romero-Arajo – 31, Fernando Romero-Puga – 62, Ramiro Zavala – 64, Fernando Licea – 37, Roberto Chavez – 37, Leonardo Cazarez – 26, Oliver Espinoza – 36, Alex Lopez Guerrero – 20, Daniel Ceja – 29, Eloy Barrera Campos - 23
SUMMARY:
Over the past two weeks, members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Enforcement Team have conducted investigations resulting in the service of 14 search warrants at residential properties throughout the communities of Phelan and Pinion Hills. Each location was found to have large-scale outdoor marijuana cultivations. The plants were found growing in unsecured fenced in areas, commonly referred to as “Plywood Grows.” The investigations revealed all 14 marijuana cultivation operations were illegal and not in compliance with California medical marijuana laws.
The investigations have resulted in total seizures of 3,389 marijuana plants, 217 pounds of processed marijuana, 9 firearms (1 stolen), the recovery of stolen vehicle parts, the discovery of a fighting cock breeding farm, and the arrest of 11 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.
The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivations that are not contained within a secured structure. San Bernardino County Code Enforcement personnel assisted with the cultivation investigations for administrative enforcement of County Code violations. The California Highway Patrol’s Air Operations Unit also provided helicopter support, aiding in suspect apprehension. 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 August 4, 2014
12387 Mountain View, Pinion Hills
195 marijuana plants and 4 firearms seized
12411 Mountain View, Pinion Hills
197 marijuana plants and 1 handgun seized
Eloy Barrera Campos arrested
12263 Mountain View, Pinion Hills
385 marijuana plants seized
Search warrants served August 6, 2014
Undeveloped parcel on Minero Rd south of Primrose Rd, Pinion Hills
200 marijuana plants and 1 stolen handgun seized
Wilfredo Moreno arrested
3025 Primrose Rd, Pinion Hills
47 marijuana plants, 50 lbs processed marijuana seized
Over 100 fighting cocks discovered
Juan Romero-Arajo and Fernando Romero-Puga arrested
Undeveloped parcel on Corton Rd north of Primrose Rd, Phelan
45 marijuana plants, 160 lbs of processed marijuana and 1 handgun seized
Stolen truck and car parts recovered
Ramiro Zavala, Fernando Licea, Roberto Chavez and Leonardo Cazarez arrested
3125 Yucca Rd, El Mirage
349 marijuana plants seized
Oliver Espinoza arrested
5400 Greasewood Ln, Phelan
576 marijuana plants, 2 lbs of processed marijuana and 2 rifles seized
Search warrants served August 13, 2014
676 Madrid Pl, Pinion Hills
133 marijuana plants seized
Undeveloped parcel on La Mesa Rd west of Pinion Hills Rd, Pinion Hills
235 marijuana plants seized
539 Seville Pl, Pinion Hills
168 marijuana plants seized
11872 Pinion Hills Rd, Pinion Hills
448 marijuana plants and 5 lbs of processed marijuana seized
Undeveloped parcel on Power Line Rd west of Buckwheat Rd, Phelan
97 marijuana plants seized
10224 Smith Rd, Phelan
314 marijuana plants seized
Alex Lopez Guerrero and Daniel Ceja arrested
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
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700