Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Team Recap August 5th and 19th, 2021

Between August 5th and 19th, 2021, the Calaveras Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served seven search warrants for illegal marijuana cultivation in Calaveras County.

On August 5th, 2021, the Calaveras Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for illegal marijuana cultivation in the 1000 block of Paradise Peak in Valley Springs. The residence had been converted to facilitate indoor marijuana cultivation. Deputies seized 1,194 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $1,552,000. Calaveras Code Compliance Officers were called to the scene and “red tagged” the residence for electrical and building hazards and violations.

On August 16th, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 2000 block of Evans Road in Valley Springs. Deputies seized 82 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $57,000. Additionally, one firearm was seized and one suspect was issued a citation. Seph Caleb Seimears, age 30 of Stockton, CA, was issued a citation for 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime.

Also, on August 16th, 2021, an unrelated search warrant was served in the 5600 block of Paloma Road in Paloma. Deputies seized 499 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $349,000. One suspect was contacted at the scene and issued a citation. Cristian Emmanuel Mendoza, age 22 of Modesto, CA, was issued a citation for 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation.

On August 18th, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 1000 block of Hidden Valley Road in West Point. Deputies seized 173 growing marijuana plants and 125 pounds of processed marijuana with a combined estimated value exceeding $151,000. No suspects were contacted at the site.

Additionally, on August 18th, 2021, an unrelated search warrant was served in the 400 block of Blossom Lane in Railroad Flat. Deputies seized 425 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $297,000. It should be noted that this site has been eradicated five times previous of this search warrant; once in 2018 and four times in 2020. The combined number of growing marijuana plants eradicated at this location since 2018 exceed 7,900 plants with an estimated value exceeding 5.5 million dollars.

No suspects were contacted at the scene and the investigation is ongoing. On August 19th, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 8000 block of Skunk Hollow Lane in Railroad Flat. Deputies seized 151 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $105,000. A previous search warrant was served at this location in November of 2019 which resulted in the arrest of one person. The 2019 search warrant also resulted in the seizure of over 100 marijuana plants and over 370 pounds of processed marijuana.

Additionally, on August 19th, 2021, an unrelated search warrant was served in the 11000 block of Arapaho Way in Burson. Deputies seized 3,934 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $2,753,000. Upon seeing law enforcement arrive, several suspects attempted to flee on foot but were apprehended by deputies. A total of five suspects were placed under arrest and booked into the Calaveras County Jail.

Chen Chengen, age 38 of Kent, WA, Chen Hui Hue, age 35, Ling Can, age 37, and Chuao Lin, age 36, were placed under arrest on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, 11366 H&S Maintaining a Premises for Sales of a Controlled Substance, 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime, and 148 PC Resist/Obstruct a Peace Officer. Ling Chang, age 33, was booked on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, 11366 H&S Maintaining a Premises for Sales of a Controlled Substance, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime.

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.