Operation Hammer Strike Week 26
6 Month Mark and Continuing to Make Headway

Between February 21, 2022, and February 27, 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 30 search warrants at various locations in Lucerne Valley, Twentynine Palms, Oak Hills, Upland, La Puente, Monterey Park, Alhambra, Newberry Springs, Walnut, Phelan, Pinon Hills, and Adelanto. 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 30 suspects. Investigators seized 46,863 marijuana plants, 5,280 pounds of processed marijuana, 11 guns, and over $182,000.00 in cash. Investigators eradicated a total of 185 greenhouses found at these locations and ten indoor locations. Investigators mitigated two electrical bypasses at these locations. The Sheriff's Department just completed week 26 of Operation Hammer Strike. Over the last 6-months, investigators have served 588 search warrants, which resulted in the seizure of 668,299 marijuana plants, 111,268.8 pounds of processed marijuana, 203 guns, 30.7 pounds of concentrated marijuana, 92.8 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, 144 grams of meth and cocaine, and $2,399,595.00 in illegal narcotic sales proceeds. Investigators have mitigated 15 THC extraction labs and 28 electrical bypasses and have recovered seven stolen vehicles. A total of 4,124 greenhouses have been eradicated. Thus far, during the operation, a total of 109,593 marijuana plants, 13,120.5 pounds of processed marijuana, 24 guns, and 91 arrests came out of the Lucerne Valley area. The teams in the Morongo Valley area, which includes Wonder Valley, Landers, Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Johnson Valley, seized 60,758 marijuana plants, 9,147.1 pounds of processed marijuana, and 14 guns seized, while 75 arrests were made and two THC labs were mitigated. A total of 140,133 marijuana plants, 18,331.6 pounds of processed marijuana, and 31 guns were seized from the Barstow, Hinkley, Newberry Springs area, and 136 arrests were made. The team assigned to Phelan, Pinon Hills, El Mirage, Helendale, Oro Grande, Adelanto, and Oak Hills area seized 151,775 marijuana plants, 30,831.6 pounds of processed marijuana, and 57 guns. A total of 167 arrests were made, and one THC lab was mitigated. Various other communities in the county had 143,039 marijuana plants, 20,871.1 pounds of processed marijuana, and 36 guns seized, along with 89 arrests and nine mitigated THC labs. A total of 36 search warrants were served at locations outside San Bernardino County, which resulted in 73 arrests and the seizure of over $1,600,000.00. 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, which includes 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, 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. For more local news and information click here.