Nearly $63 Million In Illegally Grown Marijuana Seized In The First Month of Operation Hammer Strike

[ripcord]

https://4newsplus.com/nearly-63-million-in-illegally-grown-marijuana-seized-in-the-first-month-of-operation-hammer-strike/?fbclid=IwAR22ToGCsHGw_5zyGY_rxCPf00SUdlDvsFDAFZ_OEqHhGa65BrbgrEpvRxU

Outdoor marijuana cultivation is illegal in all unincorporated communities and almost every city in San Bernardino County. However, due mainly to the decriminalization of cannabis cultivation at the state level, county officials are reporting that over 1,000 illegal cannabis grows throughout the County, with some saying the number is closer to 2,000.

In the past month of Operation Hammer Strike, Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Enforcement Teams and deputies from various stations across the County have seized over 77,000 plants and 18,668 pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated wholesale price of just over $63 Million. There have been 391 greenhouses eradicated in 91 different locations and 117 suspects arrested. Three electrical bypasses have been mitigated, 23 handguns have been confiscated, and nearly $100k in cash seized.

In week four of the operation, September 20, 2021, through September 24, 2021, investigators from the Sheriff’s Department’s Marijuana Enforcement Team served 24 search warrants throughout the County, with 33 suspects arrested. The suspects were cited or booked on charges of Cultivation of Cannabis, over six plants, and Possession for Sales of Marijuana.

Investigators seized 16,180 marijuana plants, 5,905 pounds of processed marijuana, seven handguns, and $41,000 in cash. A total of 101 greenhouses were eradicated, and one electrical bypass was mitigated. One of the handguns was also found to have the serial number removed.

Warrants were served at 7 locations in Lucerne Valley, six sites in Wonder Valley, three areas in Phelan, 1 location in Apple Valley, 4 locations in Newberry Springs, and 3 locations in Pinon Hills. Phelan locations included the 10600 block of Goss Road, 10700 block of Sunset Road, and a parcel with no address. Pinon Hills locations included the 800 block of Pomona Road, the 14500 block of Oasis Road, and one parcel with no address.

Only 3 in Phelan this week, hopefully they get the one by us soon since all the neighbors report it regularly.

[msongs]

1. good. the state should sell this pot thru the legal exchanges and get their costs back nt

[ripcord]

2. The problem is the chemicals they use to grow

[walkingman]

3. Sounds like the answer is to de-criminalize weed. It's weed for God's sake not

some hard drug or alcohol. Hand it out on the street....it will not hurt you and more than likely will help a lot of disgusted American citizens.

[ripcord]

4. It is already decriminalized

Considering our drought conditions it is pretty stupid to set up in the desert.

[uncle ray]

12. yeah, the people of San Bernardino need that water for lawns, pools, orchards and golf courses.

[questionseverything]

5. It needs to be legal at the federal level

Makes me sick the feds are wasting money on getting rid of pot growers while coke, meth, heroine are everywhere

[Hoyt]

6. Believe weed is sold there legally. If true, fine with shutting illegal grows down.

[pansypoo53219]

7. prohibition 2.0 is still stupid.

[ripcord]

9. Cannabis is legal and can be grown in California but not in the desert

How stupid, selfish and callous do you have be to set up illegal grows in the desert during a drought? It is amazing the left expects all businesses to follow permit, zoning and environmental laws, except cannabis operations. I am pretty sure if one of these grows set up in your neighborhood you wouldn't like the water theft, armed cartel guards, chemical dumping and 24/7 noise that comes from them. It just amazes me how many liberals are willing to support the cartels as long as they grow pot.

[pansypoo53219]

11. we have created a criminal system. not stopped drugs at all.

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. They could give me some to keep for them

if they are out of room to store it all.

[Hekate]

10. Thanks for the updates, ripcord. Disheartening that folks here STILL don't get it...

We in California DID legalize pot, but like booze, there are rules.

The criminals are growing on public lands, in deserts and forests. Deserts severely lack water resources, and forests burn like hell.

I say, drop the hammer on ’em.

[hunter]

13. The regulations and taxes for legal production are too burdensome.

Loosening these up would take the profit out of illegal production.

Regulations and taxes ought to be similar to those imposed on small breweries.

Are there criminal gangs out in the desert stealing water to brew beer?