Cops take out four pot grow sites

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Glenn County law enforcement officials shut down a total of four illegal marijuana grows over a roughly 24-hour period late last week.

In the early morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 16, members of the Glenn Investigations and Narcotics Task Force (GLINTF) conducted a marijuana compliance operation at three illegal cannabis outdoor grow sites in the rural Orland area. The illegal grows were at three separate addresses within a few miles of each other on County Road 8, west of the City of Orland.

The Glenn County Probation Department, Orland Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and Glenn County District Attorney’s Office assisted in the service of three separate search warrants. GLINTF agents seized 545 mature marijuana plants, 145 pounds of processed marijuana, and two ounces of concentrated cannabis.

GLINTF agents also located a butane honey oil (BHO) lab at one of the addresses. Agents arrested 28-year-old Vidal Chavez Jr. of Orland for charges alleging cultivation of marijuana for sale, operating a BHO lab, and child endangerment.

His bail was set at $200,000.

Early the next morning, on Friday, Sept. 17, members of GLINTF, along with the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office and the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office, served a search warrant for complaints of drug sales and illegal cultivation of cannabis within City of Willows. Agents contacted the owner of 346 North Butte Street, Willows, Vong Xiong, 33, along with 10 other adults residing at that location.

During the investigation, agents located 109 cultivated marijuana plants, 55.1 grams of methamphetamine, and 458.7 grams of processed marijuana. GLINTF Agents seized all illegal contraband and released the occupants of the residence.

The investigation is ongoing and charges will filed with the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office upon completion of the investigation.

Recreational use of marijuana became legal in California on January 1, 2018. The legalization is the result of voter passage of Proposition 64 in November 2016.

Adults age 21 and older may now possess up to one (1) ounce of dried marijuana or eight (8) grams of concentrated cannabis under California law. They may also grow up to six (6) plants for their personal use, subject to certain local and state restrictions.

It is still a crime to sell marijuana in California ‑ or to possess it with the intent to sell it ‑ other than with both a state and local license.

The County of Glenn adopted Ordinance Number 15.797.020 which prohibits any outdoor marijuana to be grown in all zoning districts of Glenn County. The ordinance also prohibits the delivery of marijuana.