Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Leaking water from adjacent suites led police to discover a large marijuana grow operation February 5.
The 400 pounds of high-grade marijuana extract, complex THC extraction equipment and some hazardous materials were found after a multi-location search warrant was written to investigate the operation, according to the Pomona Police Department. The marijuana grow and honey oil lab were discovered at 3227 Producer Wy. Just before 3 p.m. Wednesday. The Los Angeles County Fire Department Hazmat Team assisted the Pomona Police Special Investigations Unit with the scene. With resources from Los Angeles County and the state, the scene was processed before the operation was dismantled and the site rendered safe, Pomona Police said. A suspect was likely identified, but has not been publicly named. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A traffic stop yielded more than just an unlicensed driver after police discovered drugs and cash in the vehicle January 15. Officers discovered 125 grams of heroin, 125 fentanyl pills and $1,200 in the vehicle driven by Pomona man Miguel Pillado Ruiz, 22. He was initially stopped for a vehicle code violation, according to the Pomona Police Department. Officers with the department’s Special Investigations Unit searched the car after discovering Ruiz was unlicensed, Pomona Police said.
“The estimated street value for the seized narcotics is more than $15,000,” Pomona Police said in a written statement. Ruiz was booked on suspicion of being an unlicensed driver, driving with expired registration, possession of a controlled substance for sale and transportation of a controlled substance for sale, Pomona Police said. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - At least seven law enforcement agencies supported Pomona Police with a two-day operation to conduct probation and parole searches.
The operation held on December 5 and December 12 resulted in 19 arrests for probation violations and felony or misdemeanor warrants. 14 parole/probation compliance checks were conducted. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were seized along with two handguns, the Pomona Police Department said. California State Parole, L.A. County Probation (SEO), L.A. County MART (Children Services) and police departments from La Verne, Azusa, Upland and the California Highway Patrol Baldwin Park Office. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A 28-year-old man was taken into custody Wednesday after police discovered a large quantity of methamphetamine, more than $3,700 in cash, two handguns and ammunition. A search warrant was served in the 700 block of East Third Street Wednesday, November 6. The methamphetamine seized weighed nearly 3.5 pounds, according to the Pomona Police Department. Arrested was Gilbert Junior Flores. He was booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of methamphetamine for sales and possession of an unregistered firearm. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A fleeing suspect was caught running from police September 7 after ditching a bag of cash and stolen handguns. Police initially tried to make contact with the suspect in the 1600 block of Russell Place just before 5 p.m. after witnessing him drinking beer in a parked vehicle and holding a black bag. He was caught after running a short distance, loaded handguns and cash were found in the bag, Pomona Police said. The firearms were determined stolen. The amount of cash in the black bag was indicative of narcotics sales, Pomona Police said. “Based on the investigation, officers armed themselves with a search warrant for the suspect's residence,” Pomona Police said in a written statement.
Items consistent with narcotics sales were located along with nearly a half pound of methamphetamine, Pomona Police said. Pomona resident Alberto Mendoza, 34, was booked on suspicion of possession of firearms and a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales and possession of stolen firearms. The arrest resulted from enforcement patrols with the Pomona Police Major Crimes Task Force. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Firefighters discovered 200 to 300 burnt marijuana plants after extinguishing a house fire last week. Firefighters responded to a house fire at 1509 Kenan Wy at 2:33 a.m. August 21. The marijuana plants were discovered after firefighters checked the home for victims once the flames were extinguished, according to the Pomona Police Department. “Located inside the residence were various amounts of chemicals commonly associated with marijuana cultivation,” Pomona Police said in a written statement.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department Hazmat Detail helped to render the home safe. “The property owner and or renter is unknown and there no suspects are in custody. This is an ongoing investigation,” Pomona Police said. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A drug trafficker was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison August 5 for crimes committed during a 2015 pursuit. Jose Guadalupe Fermin led Pomona officers on a short chase, but was taken into custody without incident in a residential area November of 2015. A loaded, stolen handgun and methamphetamine were located inside Fermin’s vehicle, Pomona Police said. Two pounds of meth was also discovered after being tossed by Fermin during the pursuit. “Based on the seriousness of the crimes and Fermin’s criminal history, Fermin was indicted by the federal grand jury,” Pomona Police said. Fermin pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, Pomona Police said.
Fermin was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force: a multi-agency team comprised of members of the FBI, DEA, Pomona Police Department, El Monte Police Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The task force is committed to investigating and prosecuting violent gang members and high-level drug traffickers in the San Gabriel Valley. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Police announced Wednesday the arrest of a Chino auto shop owner after finding weapons and possibly drugs for sale at his business. The Pomona Police Major Crimes Task Force and officers with the east region Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention team conducted a business check at the Chino auto shop in the 3700 block of East Grand Avenue August 7. The owner, 42-year-old Juan Manuel Moreno Valdez, gave consent and signed a search waiver, Pomona Police said.
Police found methamphetamine and 100 hydrocodone pills believed to be for sale, ammunition and two unregistered firearms, one being stolen, Pomona Police said. Valdez was booked on suspicion of drug sales while armed, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a stolen and loaded firearm. The suspect was booked at the West Valley Detention Center. |
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