Full Notification

DATE/TIME:  Friday, July 14, 2017 / 7:00 a.m.
 
INCIDENT:    Search Warrant - Cultivation of Marijuana / Possession of Fighting Birds
 
LOCATION:   20001 Silver Rock Road, El Mirage
 
SUSPECT:      #1) Jesus Lopez, age 78, resident of El Mirage / #2) Alfonso Botello, age 22, resident of El Mirage / #3) Pedro Tirado, age 62, resident of El Mirage
 
SUMMARY:
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team served a search warrant at a large parcel in the community of El Mirage.  Investigators found an outdoor marijuana grow and fighting birds at the location.  The three suspects were present during the service of the search warrant and were detained by deputies without incident.
 
Over 1,900 marijuana plants were found growing at the property.  The marijuana grow was there for several months.  Investigators became aware of it after receiving information about it from the public.  Investigators determined the operation was an illegal marijuana grow.  Also found on the property were over 200 roosters being trained/maintained for illegal cockfighting.  The birds were recovered from the property. The Sheriff’s Rural Crimes Task Force and San Bernardino County Animal Control officers will be investigating these crimes.  Several of the birds were collected and will be tested for diseases by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
 
The property, including the grow site, was littered with trash and had several unpermitted structures serving as greenhouses where the marijuana plants were being grown. The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity which includes outdoor marijuana cultivations. The Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California marijuana laws as well as the San Bernardino County Ordinances regarding marijuana cultivation and distribution.  Persons found to be violating state marijuana laws and/or county ordinances are subject to fines, prosecution and seizure of property.
   
All three suspects were booked at the High Desert Detention Center for Cultivation of Marijuana.  Additional charges of Possession of Fighting Birds will be sought against Lopez.  All criminal charges against the suspects both suspects will be reviewed by The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
 
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs / Narcotics Division at (909)387-8400 or the Sheriff’s Rural Crime Task Force at (760)248-6686.  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
DR / case:       #651700138    
                
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department