Police raid illegal marijuana growing operations in our local mountains
Several illegal marijuana growing operations were raided and shutdown in the mountains south of the Coachella Valley Wednesday.
Riverside County Sheriffs Deputies, along with California Department of Fish and Wildlife Officers, and Riverside County Code Enforcement agents served six marijuana cultivation related search warrants in areas around Aguanga and Anza beginning at 6:00 a.m.
The following suspects were arrested for Marijuana Cultivation:
Eva Yu, 51, of Anza
Jianmou Huang, 47, of Anza
Sin Sun, 44, of Anza
Lishen Xue, 53, of Orange
Youa Thao, 32, of Merced
William Xiong, 39, of Fresno
Carol Drake, 76, of Anza (Charges filed out of custody)
Robert Drewry, 55, of Anza (Charges filed out of custody)
Deputies say approximately 4,005 plants were seized along with 165 pounds of processed marijuana. The sheriffs department estimated the total combined weight at approximately three tons confiscated.
Deputies also located two rifles, including an AR-15, and a shotgun along with more than $35,000.
In a statement, the sheriff’s department said, "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. The Sheriff’s Department has a zero-tolerance policy for these offenses."
The department added that people should report suspected drug activity by contacting your local Sheriff’s Station. The Hemet Sheriff’s Station can be reached at (951) 791-3400 and the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station can be reached at (951) 766-2400. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005 or wetip.com.