Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Team Recap October 16, 2020

“On October 15th, 2020, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for illegal marijuana cultivation in the 4000 block of Esmeralda Road in Murphys. This was the 4th time this site has been eradicated since 2017. Deputies seized 555 growing marijuana plants and 22 pounds of processed marijuana. The estimated value of the seized marijuana exceeds $403,000. No suspects were contacted at the scene. Evidence was collected at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

On October 16th, 2020, a search warrant was served in the 4700 block of Old Gulch Road in San Andreas. Deputies seized 236 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $165,000. Additionally, Deputies seized 2 firearms. Two male adults were located and arrested in tents on the site upon the arrival of law enforcement.

During the subsequent search of the tents, a handgun with a high capacity magazine and an AR-15 style rifle was located and seized. Both firearms were loaded at the time and additional ammunition was seized. One of the male arrestees gave a false name to deputies upon arrest; however, his identity was later discovered through fingerprinting conducted during the booking process. The male was identified as a convicted felon from Oakland, CA.

Pham Vo, age 49 of Oakland, was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime, 29800 (a) PC Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 30305 (a) PC Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition, and 148.9 PC Providing False Identification to a Peace Officer.

Duong Luong, age 38 of San Andreas, was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime. The investigation is ongoing.

Additionally, on October 16th, 2020, an unrelated search warrant was served in the 4400 block of Oak Grove Road in San Andreas. Deputies seized 72 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $50,000. Additionally, Deputies seized one handgun. One suspect was contacted at the site and issued a citation. Paul Russ Arthurs, age 61 of San Andreas, was Cited for 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation and 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale. Evidence was collected at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

The Calaveras Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with knowledge of illegal marijuana operations to call the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Marijuana Tip Line at (209) 754-6870.”