Huge Pot Arrest in Madera County

CHOWCHILLA – Madera County Sheriff John Anderson announced yesterday that four members of a violent gang in Fresno were arrested in Chowchilla on suspicion of cultivating marijuana for sale and possession of weapons.

The four arrested were on federal charges were Thorn Meas, 41, Sokhang Nguon, 20, Mayo Murillo, 19 and 30-year-old Youn Yen. The Tiny Rascals Gang is thought to be one of the largest Asian street gangs in the United States and is often tied to drug trafficking and violence, said a spokesman from the Sheriff’s Office.

It also has a reputation for home invasions, drug solicitation, aggravated murder and assault with automatic firearms, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Erica Stuart. “This gang is very, very violent,” she said. The year-long investigation by the Madera County Narcotic Enforcement Team led agents assigned to the country drug task force and Federal Drug Enforcement Agents to serve a search warrant in the unincorporated area of Madera County near Chowchilla.

Local and federal drug agents seized 2,000 budding marijuana plants and more than 120 pounds of processed pot Thursday from the rental home as well as the recovery of several high powered weapons. “Had the plants and processed marijuana made it into neighborhoods, we estimate the street value of the drugs would have been a half million dollars,” said Stuart.

All agreed the case would not have come to fruition had it not been for the effort of MADNET. Anderson also said he credits the vigilance of Madera County residents who continued to phone in with important information. MADNET operates a 24-hour tip line 675-7776. Thursday’s operation, according to the report, was part of an ongoing six-county eradication mission called Operation Mercury.

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Fresno Bee: 4 Fresno Gang Members Arrested Near Chowchilla on Weapons, Pot Grow Charges