3 arrested and over 4,000 marijuana plants seized Friday in Apple Valley

APPLE VALLEY, CALIF. (VVNG.com) — Over 4,000 marijuana plants were seized during the execution of multiple search warrants throughout Apple Valley Friday morning.

On Friday, January 11th, beginning at approximately 7:00 a.m., investigators from the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division – Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), in cooperation with detectives from the Apple Valley Station, served five search warrants at residences in the Town of Apple Valley, authorities said in a press release.

“Four of the five locations had indoor marijuana grow operations that used advanced lighting, air conditioning, fans, exhaust blowers and air filtering systems to control the climate inside the residence, as well as the odor of marijuana coming from them.,” officials said.

The fifth house did not have plants, but authorities found a disassembled grow operation in the garage.

Southern California Edison (SCE) will be investigating the theft of electricity that investigators discovered at one of residences.

“The extreme measures used to illegally grow marijuana endangers the public living nearby. An electrical short caused by the unpermitted electrical wiring most likely would have resulted in an explosion or fire in the residential community, causing possible injuries,” police said.

The electrical power was disconnected by SCE and the residences were “red tagged” as unsafe to occupy. 

The three suspects arrested were booked at the High Desert Detention Center on charges Cultivation of Cannabis; over six plants. 

Location #1 
11800 Block of Pecos 
Grow Operation Disassembled 

Location #2 
15900 Block of Dale Evans Parkway 
677 plants were seized 
One suspect arrested: 
Dauang Wang, 55 year old male resident of Apple Valley 

Location #3 
19200 Block of Tonkawan Way 
1,888 marijuana plants were seized 
One suspect arrested: 
Renxin He, 56 year old male resident of San Gabriel, California 

Location #4 
1900 Block of Symeron Road 
1,057 marijuana plants were seized 

Location #5 
16200 Block of Chiwi Road 
676 marijuana plants were seized 
One suspect arrested: 
Guo Bin Lin, 49 year old male resident of Flushing, New York 

Apple Valley has an ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity, which includes growing more than six marijuana plants at a residence. Additionally, the suspects did not obtain a business license from the Town of Apple Valley, nor did they have a license from the State of California to cultivate cannabis. Personnel from the Apple Valley Code Enforcement Division responded to begin their investigations.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909)387-8400 or NARC-MET@sbcsd.org. 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. 

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