PALMDALE – An ongoing investigation into Lancaster’s marijuana sales led detectives to a Palmdale gang member’s stash of 125 marijuana plants, authorities said.
Charles Berkeley was arrested at his Palmdale home on Tuesday and faces several drug-related charges, according to a press release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
Read the press release below:
As part of an investigation into the sales of marijuana on the streets of Lancaster, an Operation Safe Streets Bureau (OSS) detective assigned to Lancaster Sheriff’s Station learned that marijuana was being cultivated inside the home of a known gang member.
The detective identified 32-year-old Charles Berkeley (a previously known gang member) as the resident of the home, located in the 6100 block of Plaza Court in the city of Palmdale.
On Tuesday [June 4], OSS detectives from both Lancaster and Palmdale Sheriff’s Stations served a search warrant at the home.
During the search, an “indoor grow” with 125 marijuana plants were found in various stages of growth. The “grow” was set up with greenhouse tents, ventilation and timer lights. Evidence related to the sales of marijuana was also found inside the home.
Detectives said that the operation was capable of producing approximately 50 pounds of marijuana a year, with a street value of approximately $45,000.
Berkeley, who was home at the time of the search, was arrested without incident. He was booked at Palmdale Sheriff’s Station and faces several drug related charges.
OSS Detectives are continuing their investigation into the sales of drugs on the streets of both Lancaster and Palmdale.
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Frank Rizzo says
Why not just legalize it? Just because its legal doesn’t mean you have to use it. Booze is legal and millions don’t drink, if you want to destroy your mind and body that’s your business. Have fun getting high AV.
Nancy P says
Smoking weed may be okay with many people in the AV and God bless you, I hope you can all handle the high. However, ask any meth user, crack smoker, and heroin addict, (etc) what the drug they started with was. I’ll bet it was weed. I’m NOT trying to say all weed smokers become hard core drug addicts. No more than everyone who has a drink is an alcoholic. There needs to be some laws about weed. At least, as many as alcohol. Medical card at 18? What could possible be the reason for that? Sore wrist from playing video games or sore thumbs from texting?
Lowell Snyder says
Dumb bust,Its 2013 officers,not 1935.
AVGirl says
It isn’t just the pot found that is the issue. Usually on situations like this, the persons responsible have tapped illegally into the power grid to avoid detection. It was mentioned that he was gang affiliated, so that adds in another issue. And even if the use of marijuana is legal in some situations, the growing and distribution of it on this scale is not.
rome says
All of that time, effort, and risk for 45,000$ a year gross! Why not get legal? Just imagine what this person could have done if he only applied himself positively.
Andrew says
I concur, all he had to do was lie to a doctor and get a growing permit and he woulda been scotch free.
AVGirl says
Except even with a permit, I am pretty sure that number of plants would be way above the limit
Notagain says
GOOD JOB OFFICERS!