Marijuana Enforcement Team​

   

Again & again the HAMMER STRIKES

Operation Hammer Strike, Week 23

31 Suspects Arrested

Eradicated 424 Greenhouses

Recovered $471,000 in cash

 

January 31, 2022, through February 6, 2022____   

San Bernardino County Sheriff Department - Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), Investigators along with San Bernardino Sheriff Deputies from several different San Bernardino County Patrol Stations, served 25 search warrants at various locations in Landers, Twentynine Palms, Lucerne Valley, El Mirage, Phelan, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Pomona, Alhambra, and Monterey Park. 

The Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) personnel has received numerous complaints about large outdoor and indoor marijuana cultivations in these areas.  The past week Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) (Monday to Monday, January 31st through February 6th, 2022, the County Sheriff force located and arrested 31 suspects, seized 63,935 marijuana plants, 2,502.5 pounds of processed marijuana, four guns, and over $471,000.00 in cash.  Investigators eradicated a total of 424 greenhouses found at these locations and four indoor locations, one electrical bypass, and one THC extraction lab.

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, including growing marijuana plants outdoors.  

The San Bernardino County Sheriff Gangs/Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California's cannabis laws and San Bernardino County 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, Utility Theft, and Conspiracy. 

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff Sheriff  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