San Andreas, CA…On July 7th, 2021, the Calaveras Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for illegal marijuana cultivation in the 6900 block of Riata Way in Angels Camp. Deputies seized 617 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $802,000. The cultivation was being conducted under the residence and in a metal outbuilding. The metal outbuilding contained unsafe and unpermitted walls, electrical systems, and air ducts to facilitate the indoor cultivation. Extensive black mold was visible on surfaces. Code Enforcement Officers were called to the scene and the structure was “Red-Tagged” due to numerous hazards and violations which created an unsafe environment.

Additionally on July 7th, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 1900 block of Liberty Valley Road in Railroad Flat. Deputies seized 40 growing marijuana plants, 146 pounds of processed marijuana, over 7 grams of suspected cocaine, and 62 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms. The estimated value of the seized marijuana exceeds $65,000. Sean Donohue, age 41 of Railroad Flat, was issued a citation on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, 11377 H&S Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms, and 11350 H&S Possession of Cocaine.

On July 8th, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 8000 block of Hedgepeth Road in Valley Springs. Deputies seized 236 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $236,000. One firearm was seized and one suspect was issued a citation. Nancy Khom Bun, age 46 of Valley Springs, was issued a citation on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation and 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale.

On July 14th 2021, a search warrant was served on Panhandle Road in Glencoe. Deputies seized 389 growing marijuana plants and 67 pounds of processed marijuana. The estimated value of the seized marijuana exceeds $319,000. The site was an outdoor cultivation operation. No suspects were contacted at the scene.

On July 15th, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 800 block of La Contenta Drive in Valley Springs. Deputies seized 530 growing marijuana plants and 54 pounds of processed marijuana. The estimated value of the seized marijuana exceeds $759,000. The residence had been converted for indoor cultivation purposes and Code Enforcement Officers were called to the scene. The residence was “Red Tagged” for hazards and code violations. Three suspects were arrested at the scene.

Jinlong Chen, age 33 of Santa Cruz, CA, Lingwen Wu, age 36 of Valley Springs, CA, and Jianming Yu, age 32 of Sacramento, CA, were placed under arrest and booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime.

Each of these investigations 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.