Operation Hammer Strike Week 21; Several Suspects Arrested and 25,297 Plants Seized
Photo: example of a grow site
Originally published as a San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department Nixle post –
“Between January 17, 2022, and January 23, 2022, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), along with San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputies from several different patrol stations, served 20 search warrants at various locations in Wonder Valley, Twentynine Palms, Hinkley, El Mirage, Pioneertown, Highland, Oro Grande, and Helendale.
MET personnel had received numerous complaints about large outdoor and indoor marijuana cultivations in these areas. Over this past week, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s personnel located and arrested 25 suspects. Investigators seized 25,297 marijuana plants, 2,556 pounds of processed marijuana, 18 guns, 915 grams of concentrated marijuana, and over $12,000 in cash. Investigators eradicated a total of 208 greenhouses found at these locations, as well as a THC extraction lab. Investigators mitigated one electrical bypass and shut down one storefront dispensary.
The investigations revealed the cannabis cultivations were not in compliance with California’s Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) and San Bernardino County’s ordinance prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity. San Bernardino County has a law prohibiting Commercial Cannabis Activity, including growing marijuana plants outdoors.
The Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division will continue to enforce California’s cannabis laws and San Bernardino County’s ordinance regarding cannabis cultivation and distribution. Persons found guilty of violating the state law and county ordinance are subject to fines, prosecution, and seizure of property.
Property owners who are growing marijuana or are aware their tenants are growing marijuana on their properties in violation of the state law and local ordinances may also be subject to civil or criminal sanctions. Property owners are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement or code compliance agency to confirm if cultivating cannabis is prohibited or allowed under specific regulations.
The suspects were cited or booked on charges of Cultivation of Cannabis, over six plants, Possession for Sales of Marijuana, Illegal Water Discharge, Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, Utility Theft, and Conspiracy.
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 may call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave the information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
SUSPECT(S): Kommaliane Kiengkham, 45 year old male resident of Milwaukee, WI. Location #1
Vannidone Phonprasit, 42 year old female resident of Milwaukee, WI. Location #1
Pheng Thoummavong, 59 year old male resident of Los Angeles, CA. Location #1
Shuxing Weng, 55 year old male resident of Monterey Park, CA. Location #5
Hongwei Liu, 40 year old male resident of Alhambra, CA. Location #5
Yan Cai, 36 year old female resident of Alhambra, CA. Location #5
Huajun Lin, 45 year old male resident of Monterey Park, CA. Location #5
Lingyuan Kong, 38 year old male resident of Alhambra, CA. Location #5
Wengming Qiao, 48 year old male resident of San Diego, CA. Location #5
Chunlei Yuan, 37 year old male resident of San Jose, CA. Location #7
Guanghui Zhang, 34 year old male resident of Sacramento, CA. Location #7
Zi Hua Lin, 41 year old male resident of Sacramento, CA. Location #7
Xindan Liu, 37 year old female resident of Sacramento CA. Location #7
Wenrong Liu, 38 year old male resident of Rosemead, CA. Location #7
Eustolio Ortiz, 63 year old male resident of Corsicana, TX. Location #8
Lisa Allhose, 69 year old female resident of Oro Grande, CA. Location #8
David Ebaugh, 55 year old male resident of Pioneertown, CA. Location #10
Yanjie Zhou, 62 year old male resident of Helendale, CA. Location #12
Xinehua Ma, 56 year old male resident of Helendale, CA. Location #12
Cecilia Camposano, 52 year old female resident of Pomona, CA. Location #15
Felip Jimenez, 66 year old male resident of El Mirage, CA. Location #17
Roberto Lozano, 29 year old male resident of El Mirage, CA. Location #17
Eriberto Hernandez, 29 year old male resident of El Mirage, CA. Location #17
Manuel Ibarra, 23 year old male resident of Los Angeles, CA. Location #20
Wade Kibby, 56 year old male resident of Long Beach, CA. Location #20
LOCATION: #1 – 82300 Block of Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
#2 – Parcel with no address, Wonder Valley
#3 – Parcel with no address, Wonder Valley
#4 – 2700 Block of Bristol, Twentynine Palms
#5 – Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#6 – Parcel with no address, Hinkley
#7 – Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#8 – 21700 Block of Crystal Aire, Oro Grande
#9 – Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#10 – 5600 Block of Bronco, Pioneertown
#11 – Parcel with no address, Helendale
#12 – Parcel with no address, Helendale
#13 – Parcel with no address, Helendale
#14 – 10900 Block of Larch Avenue, Bloomington
#15 – Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#16 – Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#17 – 1100 Block of El Mirage Road, El Mirage
#18 – 7800 Block of La Nita, Highland
#19 – Parcel with no address, El Mirage
#20 – 17900 Block of Highway 18, Apple Valley”
