On Friday, June 4, 2021, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Investigation Division, with the assistance of Deputies from the Fallbrook and Valley Center Crime Suppression Teams, Rural Command and members of the Special Enforcement Detail (SED), served a search warrant in the 30800 block of Chihuahua Valley Road in Warner Springs.
The warrant was part of an investigation by Sheriff’s Detectives of illegal marijuana cultivation and sales in San Diego County. Detectives seized 3,916 live marijuana plants at the Warner Springs location with an estimated street value of nearly $1.5 million dollars.
San Diego County’s Code Enforcement, Investigators from the California Water Board and San Diego Gas & Electric also assisted in today’s operation. They discovered numerous violations creating a dangerous situation, as well as environmental-related crimes happening on the property due to the illegal cultivation. It is not uncommon for investigators to find dangerous chemicals, illegal pesticides and other hazardous materials used at unlicensed marijuana grow sites. These dangerous materials may enter the local ground water supply and streams, creating extreme environmental hazards.
Marijuana cultivation sites such as these are often the source of products unsafe for human consumption, which are sold at illegal dispensaries in our communities. Investigators believe the marijuana at the Warner Springs grow site was destined for unlicensed Southern California pot shops.
The warrant follows community concerns about illegal marijuana operations near schools and residential areas. We want to assure those we serve know the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is listening to the community and recognizes the negative impact illegal marijuana grows have on our neighborhoods.
