Full Notification

DATE/TIME: February 02, 2021, at approximately 2:00 p.m.
 
INCIDENT: Outdoor Marijuana Cultivation
 
LOCATION: El Mirage, No Address listed
 
SUSPECT(S): Chen Guo Jin, 48-year-old male resident of Sanford, Florida
                        Johnny Chan, 39-year-old male resident of Los Angeles, California
                        Zhi Fei Qian, 57-year-old male resident of Apple Valley, California
                        Kefei Wang, 34-year-old male resident of Concord, California
                        Zhen Williamson, 52-year-old female resident of Denham Springs, Louisiana
 
 
SUMMARY: On Tuesday, February 2, 2021, starting at 2:00 p.m., investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department - Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), served a search warrant at a parcel of property in El Mirage.  MET personnel had received numerous complaints about large outdoor marijuana cultivations in the area.  MET personnel located and detained 12 suspects during the service of the search warrant.  Investigators developed probable cause to arrest five of the 12 persons detained. Investigators seized 18,845 marijuana plants.
 
The investigations revealed the cannabis cultivation was not in compliance with California's Medical and Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) and San Bernardino County's ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity.  San Bernardino County has an ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity, which includes growing marijuana plants outdoors. 
 
The Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California's cannabis laws and the San Bernardino County's ordinance regarding cannabis cultivation and distribution.  Persons found guilty of violating the state law and county ordinance are subject to fines, prosecution, and property seizure. 
 
Property owners who are growing marijuana or are aware their tenants are growing marijuana on their properties violate the state law, and local ordinances may also be subject to civil or criminal sanctions.  Property owners are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement or code compliance agency to confirm if cultivating cannabis is prohibited or allowed under specific regulations.
 
The suspects were cited on charges of Cultivation of Cannabis; over six plants.
 
Anyone with information regarding this investigation or 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 the information on the We-Tip Hotline website at www.wetip.com.
 
 
Refer:                   Public Affairs Division                  
 
Phone No.            (909)387-3700
 
Case No.              DR # 652100047
 
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department