2 Tons Of Marijuana Destroyed By Authorities East Of Temecula

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A Temecula resident was among those arrested Wednesday during a raid on marijuana cultivation sites in the Aguanga and Anza areas, where approximately two tons of cannabis plants were destroyed by authorities, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported.

Ngoc Tang, 33, of Temecula was arrested along with Gregory Burnett, 63, of Anza; Cynthia Barker, 56, of Anza; Robert Wake, 47, of Aguanga; and Tavis Bryant, 57, of Aguanga. All are suspected of illegal marijuana cultivation, according to the sheriff's department.

During Wednesday's five search warrant services, 3,338 marijuana plants were destroyed, and 17 firearms were found, including two assault rifles, the department reported.

In addition to sheriff's deputies, personnel from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Riverside County Code Enforcement were on hand during the raids.

"Marijuana cultivation negatively impacts the environment in many ways including diminishing and poisoning the water table and pesticides adversely affecting the health of neighboring residents," the sheriff's department said in a released statement.

Cultivating marijuana in unincorporated Riverside County remains illegal, beyond limited exemptions that include up to six plants for personal use and for qualified medical marijuana patients and their primary caregivers.