AGUANGA – On March 23, 2021, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife served seven marijuana cultivation-related search warrants at seven separate residences and properties located in the unincorporated area of Aguanga.

During the service of the search warrants, approximately 10,600 plants were eradicated, 1,488 pounds of processed marijuana was collected (for a total combined weight of over two tons), and a rifle was collected for evidence.

The following suspects were arrested for suspected illegal marijuana cultivation, (charges will be filed with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office):

• Bernardino Mejia-Yanez, 65, of 6 Aguanga
• Kyle Nguyen, 23, of Garden Grove
• Anh Tran, 25, of Fountain Valley

“A lot of time and energy, as well as planning, goes into obtaining and serving search warrants for illegal cannabis operations in California,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Local and state law enforcement officers are combining their resources to protect citizens, neighboring communities and the environment but putting a stop to illegal marijuana grows, cultivation and distribution.”

The goal, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, is to keep citizens safe while also improving the quality of life for those residing within the community. Marijuana cultivation negatively impacts the environment in many ways including diminishing and poisoning the water table and pesticides adversely affecting the health of neighboring residents.