Between January 17, 2022, and January 23, 2022, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department - Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), along with San Bernardino Sheriff's deputies from several different patrol stations, served 20 search warrants at various locations in Wonder Valley, Twentynine Palms, Hinkley, El Mirage, Pioneertown, Highland, Oro Grande, and Helendale. MET personnel had received numerous complaints about large outdoor and indoor marijuana cultivations in these areas. Over this past week, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's personnel located and arrested 25 suspects. Investigators seized 25,297 marijuana plants, 2,556 pounds of processed marijuana, 18 guns, 915 grams of concentrated marijuana, and over $12,000 in cash. Investigators eradicated a total of 208 greenhouses found at these locations, as well as a THC extraction lab. Investigators mitigated one electrical bypass and shut down one storefront dispensary.
The investigations revealed the cannabis cultivations were 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 a law prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity, including growing marijuana plants outdoors.
The Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California's cannabis laws and 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 seizure of property.
Property owners who are growing marijuana or are aware their tenants are growing marijuana on their properties in violation of 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 or booked on charges of Cultivation of Cannabis, over six plants, Possession for Sales of Marijuana, Illegal Water Discharge, Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, Utility Theft, and Conspiracy.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909)387-8400 or NARC-MET@sbcsd.org. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave the information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
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