Operation Hammer Strike Week 16 Results in 10 Arrests and the Seizure of 5,270 Plants
DATE/TIME: December 13, 2021, through December 19, 2021
INCIDENT: Outdoor Marijuana Cultivations-Operation Hammer Strike, Week 16
LOCATION: #1 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#2 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#3 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#4 - 19700 Block of Seneca, Apple Valley
#5 - 12400 Block of Camino Canada, Victorville
#6 - 16200 Block of Lime Street, Hesperia
#7 - 17900 Block of Lakeview Drive, Spring Valley Lake
#8 - Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#9 - Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#10 - 3000 Block of Markham Street, El Mirage
#11 - 11900 Block of Lower Azusa Road, El Monte
SUSPECT(S): Jose Rosas, 22 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #1
Juan Ruiz, 46 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #1
Alfonsa Terraria, 37 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #1
Francisco Ramirez, 37 year old male resident of Lucerne Valley, CA. Location #2
Armando Garcia, 25 year old male resident of Victorville, CA. Location #4
Howard Plasencia, 33 year old male resident of Victorville, CA. Location #5
Francisco Hernandez, 27 year old male resident of San Bernardino, CA. Location #8
Joel Mendoza, 28 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #8
Paul Lao, 62 year old male resident of El Monte, CA. Location #11
Chengu Shen, 54 year old female resident of El Monte, CA. Location #11
VICTIM(S):
SUMMARY: Between December 13, 2021, and December 19, 2021, 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 11 search warrants at various locations in Lucerne Valley, Apple Valley, Victorville, Hesperia, Spring Valley Lake, and El Monte. 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 ten suspects. Investigators seized 5,270 marijuana plants, 3,225 pounds of processed marijuana, six guns, and over $23,000 in cash. Investigators eradicated a total of 78 greenhouses found at these locations and four indoor grow locations.
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 [email protected]. 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.
Refer: Sheriff's Public Affairs
Station: Gangs/Narcotics Division
Phone No. (909) 387-3700
Case No. 652101033
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SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700