
PHELAN, Calif. (VVNG.com) Multiple search warrants resulted in over 2,700 marijuana plants being seized at three different locations in Phelan, officials said.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Marijuana Enforcement Team conducted the service of three search warrants at locations in the unincorporated community of Phelan on Friday morning.
All of the properties contained illegal marijuana grows not in compliance with California’s medical marijuana law and/or San Bernardino County’s ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity.
Location #1 on Daisy Road in Phelan 445 marijuana plants were seized. Investigators are in the process of identifying the suspects. Once identified, they will face charges of Cultivation of Marijuana.
Location #2 at 445 La Mesa Road in Phelan, 614 marijuana plants were seized. Investigators arrested and booked three suspects for Cultivation of Marijuana. Raul Alejandro Barraza, 22, Benjamin Steven Ibarra, 38, and Rosina Lopez-Ybajo, 45, all residents of Phelan. Lopez-Ybano was also booked on three outstanding arrest warrants with bail amounts totaling $62,500.
Location #3, at 13976 Pacific Road in Phelan 1,683 marijuana plants were seized. Investigators arrested two suspects for Cultivation of Marijuana. Xiang Chen, 57, and Shi Ling, 30, both residents of New York State.
Investigators don’t believe the locations are linked together.
The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity which includes growing marijuana outdoors. San Bernardino County Code Enforcement personnel will assist in the notifications to the owners of the properties to make them aware of the violations occurring on them. The Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California’s medical marijuana law as well as the San Bernardino County ordinance regarding marijuana cultivation and distribution.
Persons found to be violating the state marijuana law and county ordinance are subject to fines, prosecution, and seizure of property. Property owners who are aware their tenants are growing marijuana on their rental properties in violation of state law and local ordinances may also be subject to civil or criminal sanctions. Property owners are encouraged to contact the local law enforcement or code compliance agency where their property is located to confirm whether cultivating marijuana is prohibited or allowed under specific regulations.
Anyone with information regarding the above investigations or other illegal marijuana cultivations is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at 909-387-8400. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.