San Andreas… October 6th, 2020, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for illegal marijuana cultivation in the 100 block of S. Railroad Flat Rd in Railroad Flat.
This was the 4th time this site has been eradicated since 2017. Deputies seized 205 growing marijuana plants and 41 pounds of processed marijuana. The value of the seized marijuana was estimated to exceed $172,000. Additionally, one firearm, with serial numbers illegally removed, was located and seized. Suspects David Villalobos Origel, age 42, and Jose Delacruz, age 29, were placed under arrest at the scene after one suspect attempted to flee on foot. Both Origel and Delacruz were charged with 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime. Jose Delacruz was additionally charged with 11366 H&S Maintaining a Premises for Sales of a Controlled Substance, 148 PC Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, and 23900 PC Altering a Firearm’s Identifying Mark. The investigation is ongoing.

On October 8th, 2020, a search warrant was served in the 700 block of Sourdough Road in West Point. Deputies seized 87 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $60,000. Code Compliance was called to the residence, and subsequently red-tagged the structure due to its completely sub-standard and uninhabitable living condition. An 8-year-old juvenile was discovered to be living in the residence. Due to the obvious dangers, which included vermin infestation, lack of running water,
inappropriate disposal of human waste, uncovered and bare electrical wiring, and a generator placed indoors, the child was placed in protective custody by Child Protective Services. Tyson Saetern, age 52 of
Sacramento, and Sheng Thao, age 40 of Sacramento, were placed under arrest on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime, 11366 H&S Maintaining a Premises for Sales of a Controlled Substance, and 273A PC Cruelty or Neglect of a Child with Potential for Great Bodily Harm or Death. The investigation is ongoing.

Also, on October 8th, 2020, a search warrant was served in the 200 block of Black Oak Drive in Railroad Flat. Deputies seized 105 growing marijuana plants and 382 pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated value exceeding $100,000. No suspect was located at this site.

This location was believed to be connected to the site on Sourdough Road. No persons were contacted at the scene; however, the investigation is ongoing. No further information regarding the connection between the two locations will be released at this time due to the ongoing and extensive
investigation.

Additionally, on October 8th, 2020, a search warrant was served in the 1000 block of Doe Road in Railroad Flat. Deputies seized 561 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $392,000. This site consisted of indoor and outdoor cultivation. The residence and garage were converted for cultivation purposes, and marijuana plants were being grown outside the residence. No suspects were located at the site. Extensive evidence was collected, and 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.