1.5 Tons Of Marijuana Discovered East Of Temecula

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Law enforcement raids Tuesday on suspected illegal marijuana cultivation sites east of Temecula turned up 5,166 plants and 950 pounds of processed cannabis, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The department served search warrants at seven addresses in Aguanga and Anza beginning around 7 a.m., according to the agency.

The reported addresses were:

• 44500 block of Carrot Lane, Aguanga
• Parcel of land near Kirby Road and Derby Lane, Anza
• 59400 block of Grandon Road, Anza
• 59400 block of Grandon Road, Anza
• 59700 block of Grandon Road, Anza
• 59800 block of Hutton Circle, Anza
• 42000 block of Scarlet Bugle, Anza

"During the service of the search warrants, approximately 5,166 plants were eradicated, and 950 pounds of processed marijuana was collected, for a total combined weight of approximately one and a half tons," the department said in a news release. "Three firearms (two assault rifles and one handgun) were also collected for evidence."

Five people were arrested in connection with the raids. Pao Chouh Vang, 45; Shua Xiong, 39; Jairo Emilio Serrano-Noriega, 32; and Inh Sayaseng, 60, were all taken into custody on suspicion of misdemeanor marijuana cultivation. All have been released with a promise to appear in court later this year, jail records showed.

A fifth suspect identified by the sheriff's department as Christian Velasquez was also arrested, but jail records were unavailable.