PHELAN — Multiple agencies throughout the region conducted a search warrant that led to an illegal outdoor marijuana cultivation of over 450 plants and the arrest of five suspects Wednesday morning, authorities said.
At 8 a.m., members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), law enforcement officers from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Union Pacific Railroad and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) collaborated to serve a search warrant at the property in the 4600 block of Struveling Street in Phelan.
According to officials, organized crews have been burglarizing cargo trains throughout Southern California, Central California, Arizona and New Mexico over the past several years. Electronic equipment, clothing, power tools and other household items estimated to be worth thousands of dollars were stolen, authorities said.
Investigators from BNSF conducted an investigation and identified the suspects and information led them to Struveling Street. BNSF investigators then contacted MET officials after determining there were marijuana plants growing on the property.
Deputies served a search warrant and encountered five suspects; Luis Torres-Uribe, 29, of Phelan, Victor Zamora-Flores, 34, of Phelan, Juan Carlos Moralez, 24, of Phelan, Usiel Estrada Ochoa, 26, of Phelan, and Omar Trejo, 22, of San Bernardino.
Three of the five suspects were detained without incident, while Torres-Uribe and Trejo attempted to flee on foot. With the assistance of the Sheriff’s helicopter they were taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, officials said.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of over 450 marijuana plants, one handgun and several items of stolen property, including flat panel televisions, air conditioning units and designer clothing and footwear.
The large amount of marijuana found and other evidence seized at the location suggests the suspects had no intention of abiding by California’s medical marijuana laws or local ordinances relating to growing marijuana for medical purposes, authorities said.
All five suspects were arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana, with each having a bail set at $225,000. Additional charges for possession of stolen property will be sent to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office at a later date.
The case may be sent to the United States Attorney’s Office at the conclusion of the investigation for a review of criminal charges against the suspects, officials said.
Anyone with information regarding the above investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at 909-890-4840.