San Andreas, CA…On September 9th, 2020, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant at an illegal marijuana cultivation site in the 8000 block of Savage Way in Burson. Deputies located an illegal marijuana manufacturing and retail operation inside the residence. The operation included the manufacturing of cannabis edibles and other products in unsanitary conditions and violations of cannabis retail regulations. Deputies seized no less than 1,360 grams of concentrated marijuana products, 27 growing marijuana plants, and nearly a pound of processed marijuana. The combined value of the concentrated marijuana products, processed marijuana, and potential yield from the plants was estimated to exceed $97,000. David Patrick O’Neill, age 50 of Burson, was issued a citation on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation and 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale. The investigation is ongoing.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind readers that marijuana edibles are sold on the legal and illegal market. The edibles often resemble non-marijuana food or candy items and may be attractive to children, leading to accidental ingestion. Often the dosage of the active ingredient (tetrahydrocannabinol) is not precisely measured and presents a risk of overconsumption. Marijuana Edibles, which are sold on the black market may have little to no emphasis placed on food safety and hygiene during production.

On September 10th, 2020, a search warrant was served in the 7000 block of Pine Ridge Lane in Mountain Ranch. Deputies seized 320 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $224,000. No suspects were contacted at the site, and the investigation is ongoing.

On September 11th, 2020, a search warrant was served in the 18000 block of Vista Way in Mokelumne Hill. Deputies seized 371 growing marijuana plants and nearly 3 pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated value exceeding $261,000. No suspects were contacted at the site. Evidence was seized for analysis, and the investigation is ongoing.

Also, on September 11th, 2020, an unrelated search warrant was served in the 1600 block of Wells Fargo Station Road in Railroad Flat. Deputies seized 101 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $70,000. The cultivation was located outdoors; however, one residence onsite and the basement of another residence showed evidence of being converted for past and future indoor cultivation. Tony Xiong Vang, age 45 of Railroad Flat, was issued a citation on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 11366 H&S Maintaining a Premises for Controlled Substance Purposes. The investigation is ongoing.
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.