San Andreas, CA….On June 26th, 2020, the Calaveras Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for illegal marijuana cultivation on a site located in the 19000 block of Old Greek Mine Road in Mountain Ranch. Deputies located and seized 882 growing marijuana plants. Deputies also discovered that the property was littered with trash piles, debris, and extension cords in the dry foliage leading to a gas generator causing a fire hazard. No suspects were located at the scene; however, the investigation is ongoing.

On June 29th, 2020, two separate and unrelated search warrants were served. The first was located in the 9000 block of Whiskey Slide Rd. in Mountain Ranch. Deputies located and seized 1,462 growing marijuana plants. No suspects were located at the scene; however, evidence was seized, and the investigation is ongoing.

The second location on June 29th was located in the 7000 block of Doster Road in Mountain Ranch. Deputies seized 818 growing marijuana plants and nearly a pound of processed marijuana. Suspect Santos De Jesus Mendoza, age 21 of Livingston, California, was contacted at the scene and placed under arrest. Mendoza was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 11375 (B) Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale (Felony), 11366 HS Maintaining a Premise to Sell Controlled Substances (Felony), and 11358 (C) HS Illegal Marijuana Cultivation in Excess of 6 Plants (Misdemeanor). He was released on June 29th, 2020, at about 10:30 PM when he posted the $50,000.00 bail.

On July 1st, 2020, an additional unrelated search warrant was served in the 4000 block of Tree Lane in Wilseyville. Deputies seized 419 growing marijuana plants and a firearm. The firearm was a handgun that had the serial numbers defaced. Suspect Domingo Vasquez Jimenez, age 36 of Paso Robles, California, was arrested and booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 11358 HS Illegal Marijuana Cultivation (Felony), 11359 HS Possession of Marijuana for Sale (Felony), 11366 HS Maintaining a Premises to Sell Controlled Substances (Felony), and 12090 PC Altering Firearm Identification Mark (Felony). Jimenez’s bail was set at $150,000.00.

The Sheriff’s Office had received several complaints regarding the above locations via the anonymous marijuana tip line. The MET team realizes that quality of life in a neighborhood is important. The Sheriff’s Office is always concerned for the safety and well-being of every neighborhood and each citizen of Calaveras County.
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.