Over 10,400 marijuana plants seized in Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Six raids in nearby unincorporated areas Monday resulted in widespread marijuana seizures and five arrests, including three local men.

The raids began at 6 a.m. in the unincorporated county areas of Hemet, Sage, Winchester, Homeland and Nuevo, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

During the raids that were conducted after search warrants were obtained, approximately 10,422 marijuana plants were eradicated and 211 pounds of processed marijuana were collected, for a total combined weight of approximately three tons, according to the sheriff’s department.

Five firearms (one rifle and four handguns), two tractors and one generator were also collected for evidence; two containers of pesticides banned in California were also found, according to the sheriff’s department.

The following arrests were made as part of the raids:

• 24-year-old San Diego resident James Dukeminier
• 33-year-old Los Angeles resident Juan Inquez
• 37-year-old Idyllwild resident Felipe Davila
• 23-year-old Lake Elsinore resident Jack Bergeron
• 57-year-old Perris resident Samuel Duran-Garcia
• According to the sheriff’s department, all six people were booked on suspicion of illegal marijuana cultivation.

In addition to the sheriff’s department, the following agencies were on hand during the raids: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Water Board, and Riverside County Code Enforcement.