Duo Busted For Marijuana Grow After RivCo Warrants: Deputies

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A Lake Elsinore resident and another man from Mexico were arrested Wednesday morning on marijuana-cultivation charges after deputies served search warrants on various locations in Riverside County, according to authorities.

Pedro Blas, 29, Lake Elsinore, and Tzitzicpandacuare Pacheco, 21, of Mexico, were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta for suspicion of illegal, marijuana cultivation, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.

Deputies from the Perris Station Special Enforcement Team were tipped off in August of the existence of numerous, illegal, outdoor residential marijuana-grows, the department said.

Recovered in the warrant searches were 669 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, 40 pounds of processed marijuana and one firearm, deputies said, adding that the pot plants subsequently were removed from the properties.

"Outdoor marijuana cultivation negatively impacts the neighborhoods, property value and environment," the agency said. "It diminishes and poisons the water table, and pesticides adversely affect the health of neighboring residents. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has a zero-tolerance policy for these offenses. If you suspect drug activity in your area, please contact your local sheriff’s station."

Anyone with additional information on the case can contact Deputy Pendleton at the Perris Station at (951) 210-1000.

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