Illegal underground marijuana operation busted in Kern County, resulting in 17,650 marijuana plants to be seized

BORON, California — Authorities have dismantled an illegal underground marijuana grow operation in the desert area north of Boron, resulting in the arrest of three suspects.On August 6, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Kern County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA), executed a search warrant on the illicit operation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife/Cannabis Enforcement Program (CEP), the Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) task force, and officers from the Kern County Probation Department assisted in the raid.During the operation, two suspects attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended by law enforcement personnel. Authorities eradicated 17,650 marijuana plants and seized approximately 1,069 pounds of processed marijuana. The underground grow rooms were equipped with sophisticated electrical and ventilation systems powered by a large diesel generator.Kern County Code Compliance officials responded to the scene and identified numerous code violations and major safety concerns. The structures and underground facilities were deemed unsafe for occupancy and posted accordingly.The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Lerdo Justice Facility, on multiple charges including maintaining a place for drug sales, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, resisting arrest, and conspiracy to commit a crime:- Qingxue Zhang, 57, from China- Siyun Cao, 32, from Quizo, China- Xiyyu Zou, 53, from ChinaThe arrests and eradication efforts were part of a coordinated effort to combat illegal marijuana cultivation in the region, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.