“Law-abiding community members are recognizing the importance of alerting law enforcement to illegal cannabis cultivation in order to protect the safety of their families and communities.  Thanks to CDFW wardens who work with local law enforcement departments to investigate this illegal activity.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - On July 2, 2021, at approximately 7:00 a.m., investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) served a search warrant at an outdoor marijuana cultivation site in Oro Grande.  During the service of the search warrant, law enforcement officers located and arrested eight suspects, seized 1,455 marijuana plants, one semi-automatic shotgun, and more than 2,438 pounds of processed marijuana (wholesale value approximately $2.5 million), most of which had been packaged in one-pound bags.

CDFW wardens will pursue felony charges of altering a streambed and cultivation of marijuana within a streambed.

The investigation revealed the cannabis cultivation was 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.

Those suspected of violating the state law and county ordinances are subject to fines, prosecution, and seizure of property.

Arrested were:

Manuel Alcara, 22, of Ontario
Cezar Ochoa, 29, of Huntington Beach
Heminia Padron, 43, of San Bernardino
Samuel Galvin, Jr., 23, of San Bernardino
Abelino Galvin, 59, of San Bernardino,
Franciso Galvin, 18, of San Bernardino
Abel Vargas, 29, of San Bernardino,
Bridgette Magana, 26,of San Bernardino