Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Friday, November 17, 2017

INCIDENT: Search Warrants – Illegal Marijuana Grows

LOCATION: City of Victorville
Unincorporated area San Bernardino County – Oak Hills

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

SUMMARY:
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department - Marijuana Enforcement Team and deputies from the Victorville Police Department conducted investigations resulting in the service of four search warrants at locations throughout the High Desert. The investigations revealed all the marijuana grows were illegal and not in compliance with California’s medical marijuana law and/or local ordinances prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity.

Thus, over 3,400 marijuana plants were seized during the service of the search warrants. Investigators don’t believe the locations are linked together.

At locations #1, #2 and #4 investigators also discovered the suspects tampered with the main power lines at these residences to bypass the electrical meter installed by the utility company. This allowed for the theft of electricity needed to operate the equipment used to grow marijuana. The loss to Southern California Edison is believed to be in the thousands of dollars.

At location #4, one suspect was found inside the residence. He was arrested without incident. The residence has been the site of a previous indoor marijuana grow in the past. The suspect will face charges of Utility Theft and Cultivation of Marijuana.

The City of Victorville prohibits large scale or the commercial growing of marijuana. The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity which includes growing marijuana outdoors. The Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California’s medical marijuana law as well as the San Bernardino County ordinance regarding marijuana cultivation and distribution. New state regulations regarding the cultivation, sales and delivery of medicinal and recreational marijuana for commercial purposes begin on January 1, 2018. These local ordinances are not expected to change.

Persons found to be violating the state marijuana law and county ordinance are subject to fines, prosecution, and seizure of property. Property owners who are aware their tenants are growing marijuana on their rental properties in violation of state law and local ordinances may also be subject to civil or criminal sanctions. Property owners are encouraged to contact the local law enforcement or code compliance agency where their property is located to confirm whether cultivating marijuana is prohibited or allowed under specific regulations.


15038 Cobalt Road, Victorville
1,138 marijuana plants; Utility Theft - Electricity
Suspect(s): Pending identification
DR #651700335

12276 Osprey Lane, Victorville
209 marijuana plants; Utility Theft - Electricity
Suspect(s): Pending identification
DR #651700337

11633 Stuveling Street, Oak Hills
206 marijuana plants;
Suspect(s): Pending identification
DR #651700338

6678 Mesa Linda Street, Oak Hills
1,922 marijuana plants; Utility Theft - Electricity
Suspect(s): Jialun Li, age 61, resident of San Gabriel
DR #651700339


Anyone with information regarding the above investigations or other illegal marijuana cultivations is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at 909-387-8400. 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