National Forest area near Day Creek Canyon, July 23, 2015 – The Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team conducted a joint operation with CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) and the DEA to eradicate a large marijuana cultivation site in the San Bernardino National Forest near Day Creek Canyon. The site was located in extremely rugged terrain approximately one mile north of the city limits of Rancho Cucamonga.
Investigators found 4,278 marijuana plants, a large amount of camping equipment and an abundance of trash as evidence that several suspects, including Gonzales-Salcedo and Rincon-Arreola, were living within the site, and caring for the marijuana plants. Over 100 pounds of recently harvested marijuana was also found.
The suspects cut and cleared the natural brush so they could plant the marijuana. This causes irreversible damage to the forest. The water used to irrigate the plants was obtained from natural resources using plastic tubing. The mature plants were producing bud and ranged in height from 4 to 7 feet tall. The suspects were in the process of harvesting the marijuana. After harvesting, the marijuana is dried, processed and packaged for removal from the grow site. At this time, it is unknown where the marijuana was being taken to, but most likely would have been sold illegally. An estimated 25,000 gallons of water per day was being diverted from natural streams and creeks in the area into the grow site.
Marijuana cultivation sites located within the forest areas have a negative impact on the natural resources and wild life in the area. The fertilizer, pesticides and animal repellents used by the marijuana growers contaminate the natural streams and creeks, ultimately contaminating the ground water. The natural brush and foliage cut away and discarded by the suspects have a major effect to the natural topography and wild life in the forest. The trash left behind the marijuana growers can cause long lasting damage to the forest and wild life. Investigators removed three large cargo nets filled of supplies, trash and irrigation line.
Gonzalez-Salcedo and Rincon-Arreola were arrested by investigators as they fled from their camp site on foot. They were found hiding in the brush and taken into custody without incident. They are facing federal charges of Manufacturing a Controlled Substance (Cultivation of Marijuana).
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at 909-890-4840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
