From Staff and Wire Reports
LUCERNE VALLEY • Nearly 200 mature marijuana plants and two guns were seized by members of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division while serving a search warrant at a Baker Street residence on Wednesday afternoon.
Deputies arrested and booked Lucerne Valley resident Miguel Ortega, 35, for cultivation of marijuana and being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.
The Sheriff Narcotics Division’s Marijuana Enforcement Team served a search warrant at 10251 Baker Street at 12:45 p.m. Investigators found a large outdoor marijuana cultivation on the five-acre property.
Ortega was inside the residence when investigators arrived. A search also revealed one loaded 12-gauge shotgun and a 22-cal. rifle. Ortega had an outstanding felony federal arrest warrant for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The marijuana plants were growing within an area enclosed with a six-foot tall plywood fence. A water well on the property was utilized to supply water to the plants. The investigation revealed this was an illegal marijuana operation, which was not in compliance with California medical marijuana laws.
The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting marijuana cultivations that are not within a fully enclosed structure. San Bernardino County Code Enforcement personnel responded and determined the cultivation was in violation of the County’s ordinance.
A total of 191 mature marijuana plants were seized. The plants ranged in height from 2 to 4 feet tall and were all in the budding stage. Ortega was arrested and booked for his arrest warrant, cultivation of marijuana and being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.
Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division at 909-890-4840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.