RIVERSIDE COUNTY – On September 23, 2020, personnel from more than a dozen agencies assisted the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to serve 38 marijuana cultivation related search warrants in the unincorporated county areas of Anza and Aguanga.  During the service:

• approximately 31,878 plants were eradicated
• 4,165 pounds of processed marijuana was collected
• 25 firearms (seven handguns, six shotguns, twelve rifles) were collected for evidence
• $46,221 in currency was collected for asset forfeiture proceedings
• a stolen trailer was recovered at one of the locations
• 10 jars of concentrated “honey oil” were found
• and a Butane Hash Oil laboratory was dismantled
• Carbofuran, classified as a toxic pesticide that has been banned in the United States for endangering domestic animals and wildlife and is a known hazard to the water table, was located at one of the locations.

 The following suspects were arrested for Marijuana Cultivation:

• Edward Lugo, 68, of Anza (cited and released)
• Guansheng Zheng, 49, of Rowland Heights
• Mai Yang, 42, of Anza
• Neng Yang, 42, of Anza
• Larry Bosel, 82, of Anza
• Huber Avalos, 30, of Anza
• Douglas Bailey, 44, of Anza t (cited and released)

“Serving search warrants where it is likely law enforcement will encounter weapons is a very dangerous job,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “I am thankful this was a peaceful operation, and no one was hurt.  I also appreciate that the law enforcement and code enforcement agencies are working together to protect licensed growers, wildlife and the environment, and the safety of neighboring community members.”

Agencies that assisted the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department included:

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife,
• Riverside County District Attorney’s Office,
• Hemet Police Department,
• Riverside Police Department,
• Murrieta Police Department,
• Palm Springs Police Department,
• Bureau of Land Management,
• California Water Board,
• Riverside County Animal Control,
• CAL-Fire,
• American Medical Response,
• Tactical Emergency Medical Services
• and Riverside County Code Enforcement