5 Busted For Alleged Illegal Weed Grow In RivCo: Deputies

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Five area residents were arrested Friday morning on marijuana-related charges after deputies served a search warrant at a residence on the 37300 block of Green Meadows Road in the unincorporated area of Temecula, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station, along with members of the District Attorney’s Cannabis Regulation Task Force, at approximately 7:10 a.m., served the warrant at the residence, an investigation that began with a tip from an anonymous citizen over a possible large-scale, illegal marijuana-grow operation, according to deputies.

Deputies arriving at the rural 4-acre property found several individuals who allegedly were working at the illegal operation and "ran and attempted to hide," deputies said.

Twelve individuals were located, detained and interviewed, deputies said.

"Upon inspecting the property, more than 2,800 marijuana plants were located in various stages of growth," the agency said. "All of the illegal plants were seized pursuant to the search warrant. Five individuals determined to be participating or playing a role in the illegal marijuana grow operation were arrested and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center."

The five arrested were:

• Emidio Aparicio, 30, Hemet, for suspected conspiracy /illegal marijuana cultivation;
• Nayeli Aparicio, 27, Hemet, suspected conspiracy / illegal marijuana cultivation;
• Migel Belmont, 31, Hemet, suspected conspiracy / illegal marijuana cultivation;
• Juan R. Ramirez, 42, Temecula, suspected conspiracy / illegal marijuana cultivation;
• Steven Whitaker, 62, Temecula, suspected conspiracy / illegal marijuana cultivation.

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