Operation Hammer Strike, Week 20: 63 Illegal Greenhouse and 2 THC labs Eradicated, 1 Hand Grenade Destroyed
DATE/TIME: January 10, 2022, through January 16, 2022
INCIDENT: Outdoor Marijuana Cultivations-Operation Hammer Strike, Week 20
LOCATION: #1 - 5700 Block of Allen Avenue, Wonder Valley
#2 - 258 Block of Minnetonka, Lucerne Valley
#3 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#4 - 77500 Block of Two Mile Road, Wonder Valley
#5 - Parcel with no address, Helendale
#6 - 4200 Block of Canyon Road, Twentynine Palms
#7 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#8 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#9 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#10 - Parcel with no address, Twentynine Palms
#11 - Parcel with no address, Wonder Valley
#12 - 67600 Block of Appian Way, Twentynine Palms
#13 - 11700 Block of Bartlett, Adelanto
#14 - Parcel with no address, Helendale
#15 - Parcel with no address, Helendale
#16 - Parcel with no address, Helendale
#17 - Parcel with no address, Helendale
#18 - 8000 Block of C Avenue, Hesperia
SUSPECT(S): Samnang Chan, 43 year old male resident of Long Beach, CA. Location #1
Elvis Thao, 40 year old male resident of Los Angeles, CA. Location #1
Arredondo Lopez, 33 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #3
Tri Phan, 47 year old male resident of Los Angeles, CA. Location #4
Sergio Arias, 26 year old male resident of Ontario, CA. Location #5
Ivan Cruz-Leon, 31 year old male resident of Lucerne Valley, CA. Location #8
Peng Wei, 42 year old male resident of Arcadia, CA. Location #13
Jing Wei Ping, 39 year old female resident of Arcadia, CA. Location #13
Filberto Rosas, 57 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #14
Heriberto Gamboa, 27 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #14
Ruben Garcia, 66 male resident of Helendale, CA. Location #16
Luis Cardenas, 24 year old male resident of Oro Grande, CA. Location #17
Daniel Alvarez, 35 year old male resident of Oro Grande, CA. Location #17
Alexis Ayala, 42 year old male resident of Oro Grande, CA. Location #17
Jose Gonzalez, 57 year old male resident of Oro Grande, CA. Location #17
Maurice Hamilton, 45 year old male resident of Hesperia, CA. Location #18
SUMMARY: Between January 10, 2022, and January 16, 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 18 search warrants at various locations in Lucerne Valley, Wonder Valley, Adelanto, Hesperia, Twentynine Palms, 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 15 suspects. Investigators seized 7,095 marijuana plants, 5,045.5 pounds of processed marijuana, 11 guns, 1,583 grams of concentrated marijuana, and over $5,600.00 in cash. Investigators eradicated a total of 63 greenhouses found at these locations, as well as 2 THC extraction labs. Investigators located one live fragmentation hand grenade, which was destroyed in place by deputies from the Sheriff's Arson/Bomb Division.
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, Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, 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. 652200036
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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
