Full Notification

DATE/TIME: January 26, 2019, at approximately 9:00 p.m.

INCIDENT: Indoor Marijuana Grow

LOCATION: Hesperia

SUSPECT: Kong Zhang Ni, 45-year-old male resident of Hesperia


SUMMARY:
On Saturday, January 26th, beginning at approximately 9:00 p.m., investigators from the Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division - Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) responded to a house fire in Hesperia. Hesperia patrol deputies and fire personnel on scene reported a large indoor marijuana cultivation operation had been discovered inside the residence. Kong Zhang Ni was apprehended by patrol deputies as he attempted to flee the fire with his belongings. The location had an indoor marijuana grow operation that used advanced lighting, air conditioning, fans, exhaust blowers, and air filtering systems, which had been used to control the climate inside the residence, as well as the odor of marijuana coming from it. Investigators served a search warrant and seized 1,175 marijuana plants.

Investigators discovered electricity at the location was being stolen. Suspects who grow marijuana illicitly will commonly bypass the electrical meter installed by the electrical company. This is done due to the high amount and cost of electricity needed to operate the marijuana growing equipment. Southern California Edison investigators will be contacted in an attempt to determine the amount of electricity stolen at the location. The loss from the theft of electricity at the location will be several thousands of dollars.

The extreme measures used to illegally grow marijuana endangers the public living nearby. It is believed an electrical short caused by the unpermitted electrical wiring caused the fire. The electrical power to the residence was disconnected so the faulty wiring and electrical bypass will not create a further hazard for the public.

The suspect did not obtain a business license from the city of Hesperia, nor did he have a license from the State of California to cultivate cannabis. Personnel from the Hesperia Code Enforcement Division will begin their own investigation. The electrical power was disconnected by SCE, and the residence will be “red tagged” as unsafe to occupy.

The suspect was booked at the High Desert Detention Center for PC 498- Utility Theft, HS 11358(c)- Cultivation of Cannabis, over six plants, and PC 452-Arson.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909)387-8400 or [email protected]. 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
Case No. DR #6519000037

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department