Operation Hammer Strike, Weeks 47 and 48: Investigators Make 31 Arrests while Eradicating Illegal Grows
DATE/TIME: July 18, 2022, through July 31, 2022
INCIDENT: Outdoor Marijuana Cultivations-Operation Hammer Strike, Weeks 47 and 48
LOCATION: #1 - Parcel with no address, Helendale
#2 - Parcel with no address, Adelanto
#3 - Parcel with no address, Adelanto
#4 - Parcel with no address, Adelanto
#5 - Parcel with no address, Adelanto
#6 - 20700 Block of Sunset Drive, Apple Valley
#7 - 18500 Block of Orange Street, Hesperia
#8 - 9500 Block of Timberlane, Hesperia
#9 - Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#10 - 1000 Block of Calle de Amistad, El Mirage
#11 - Parcel with no address, Adelanto
#12 - 17800 Block of Smoketree, Hesperia
#13 - Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#14 - 14700 Block of Aspen, Hesperia
#15 - 10600 Block of Orchid Avenue, Hesperia
#16 - 6300 Block of Cactus Jack, Twentynine Palms
#17 - 68700 Block of Amboy Road, Twentynine Palms
#18 - 65300 Block of Hoover Road, Joshua Tree
#19 - 2700 Block of Julcrest Road, Yucca Valley
#20 - 8300 Block of Terrace Drive, Morongo Valley
#21 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#22 - 8600 Block of Hazel Court, Apple Valley
#23 - 12800 Block of Mission Street, Hesperia
#24 - 2700 Block of Arrowhead Drive, Pinon Hills
#25 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#26 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#27 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#28 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#29 - Parcel with no address, Lucerne Valley
#30 - 16400 Block of Eve Road, Apple Valley
#31 - 7400 Block of Elm Street, Highland
#32 - Parcel with no address, Hinkley
#33 - Parcel with no address, Hinkley
#34 - Parcel with no address, Hinkley
#35 - Parcel with no address, Hinkley
#36 - Parcel with no address, Hinkley
SUSPECT(S): William Villalobos, 18 year old male resident of Littlerock, CA. Location #2
Pascual Martinez, 28 year old male resident of Menifee, CA. Location #3
Jorge Ruelas, 25 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #4
Jesus Cordero, 42 year old male resident of Hesperia, CA. Location #7
Salvador Villagomez, 44 year old male resident of Hesperia, CA. Location #8
Kangjie Li, 23 year old male resident of Chicago, IL. Location #11
Shilun Gao, 49 year old male resident of San Gabriel, CA. Loccation #11
Joshua Day, 29 year old male resident of Hesperia, CA. Location #12
Tate Claybaker, 24 year old male resident of Hesperia, CA. Location #12
Sevak Sahakyan, 50 year old male resident of Glendale, CA. Location #15
Narek Sahakyan, 19 year old male resident of Glendale, CA. Location #15
Vanh Thach, 50 year old male resident of Twentynine Palms, CA. Location #16
Maneul Zamora, 50 year old male resident of Wrightwood, CA. Location #16
Benz Hong Zhu, 58 year old male resident of China. Location #17
Miles Hensly, 35 year old male resident of Banning, CA. Location #18
Mark Hensly, 61 year old male resident of Carrolton, KY. Location #18
Benjamin Nelson, 28 year old male resident of Chandler, AZ. Location #19
Kyle Hise, 27 year old male resident of Chandler, AZ. Location #19
Yeva Ghevondyan, 46 year old female resident of Hesperia, CA. Location #23
Sarkis Markaryan, 60 year old male resident of Los Angeles, CA. Location #23
Javier Madrigal, 35 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #25
Jorge Madrigal, 20 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #25
Jose Trujillo, 24 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #25
Luciano Rodriguez, 37 year old male resident of Mexico. Locaiton #25
Ky Khampou, 61 year old male resident of Long Beach, CA. Location #28
Jose Garcia, 21 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #33
Jonathan Gutierrez, 35 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #33
David Ramirez, 33 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #33
Carlos Sanchez, 22 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #34
Manuel Rodriguez, 37 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #34
Jose Lopez, 54 year old male resident of Mexico. Location #36
SUMMARY: Between July 18, 2022, and July 31, 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 36 search warrants at various locations in Helendale, Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia, El Mirage, Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Morongo Valley, Pinon Hills, Lucerne Valley, Highland, and Hinkley. MET personnel received numerous complaints about large outdoor and indoor marijuana cultivations in these areas. Over the past two weeks, San Bernardino County Sheriff's personnel located and arrested 31 suspects. Investigators seized 35,965 marijuana plants, 8,384 pounds of processed marijuana, 12 guns, 14,268 grams of concentrated marijuana, and over $96,000.00 in cash. Investigators eradicated a total of 206 greenhouses found at these locations, as well as 16 indoor locations. Investigators mitigated three THC extraction labs, two electrical bypasses, and recovered one stolen vehicle and one stolen handgun.
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, Possession of Stolen Property, 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
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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