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Members of the Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team served a search warrant at a closed down night club once known as the El Rancho Night Club on Cajon Boulevard in Muscoy. The business has been closed for some time now. Investigators found an outdoor marijuana cultivation on the property. The suspects were staying in a motor home at the rear of the property and were tending to the marijuana plants growing at the location.
The marijuana plants were found growing in an unsecured fenced in area. The investigation revealed this was an illegal marijuana growing operation, which was not in compliance with California medical marijuana laws. Additionally, the County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivations that are not within a secured structure. San Bernardino County Land Use / Code Enforcement personnel were at the scene and determined the cultivation was in violation of the County’s ordinance.
A total 241 marijuana plants were seized. The plants ranged in height from 4 to 12 feet tall. A handgun was also located by investigators and determined to belong to Marin. All of the suspects were arrested without incident and booked into the San Bernardino County jail for cultivating marijuana with the exception of the juvenile. He was cited and released to his mother at the scene. Both he and his mother will appear in juvenile court at a later date. Marin was found to be a convicted felon, convicted of two sex crimes in Riverside County. An additional charge of a Felon in Possession of a Firearm will be added and sent to the District Attorney’s Office for filing.
The County’s ordinance prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivations has been in effect for several years now. Property owners who have been contacted by individuals interested in renting or leasing their property for the purpose of growing marijuana should be cautious and contact Land Use Services to confirm the growing operation is within the conditions set forth by the County. Property owners may be issued citations and held responsible for violations found on their property. This can include civil and criminal penalties, fines or both.
