“The water being stolen is being used to irrigate illegal marijuana grows. Per Public Works, if the pressure gets too low, the fire hydrants are at risk and… potable drinking water can be compromised,” according to a news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
Thieves are transporting the stolen water in various containers and vehicles, including large tanker water trucks, water cubed containers within backs of beds, and trailers with water tanks. The vehicles usually travel on public roadways, with drivers who are operating the vehicle out of class for the commercial truck being used, with expired registration, or without valid proof of insurance, according to the news release.
On Wednesday, May 19, Lancaster Sheriff’s Station partnered with the California Department of Fish and Game and the California Highway Patrol to conduct a water theft operation.
“LASD personnel arrested four people for conspiracy to commit a crime, cultivation and transportation of marijuana, transportation of marijuana for sale and illegal possession of a firearm,” sheriff’s officials said in the news release. “LASD personnel also impounded and/or stored 32 vehicles, and the California Highway Patrol impounded and/or stored 16 vehicles.”
All of the vehicles towed were being used to transport water, marijuana, or materials used to cultivate marijuana, officials said.
Shelby says
Forbid a man water in the desert. That don’t sound right? Harass poor farmers just don’t seem right? Haul there cars and trucks to impound lots, where will have holds put on them ,running up the storage fees to thousands for each vehicle. That should be illegal? On top of this crazy stuff the citizens of the valley will be out 100s of thousands of dollars paying two law enforcement agencies employee straight time and overtime plus the court system. For something thats not even illegal unless you twist and turn the law. Citizens of antelope valley stand up and put a stop to this before it gets out of control.
Growing pot pays says
Sorry this is long but information is true and correct.
The LA County Board of Supervisors has banned all commercial cannabis grows and cultivation in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles county since 2017 (Ordinance No. 2017-0025). No permits or licenses has been issued in these areas. Problem is that when they build the structure on any property out there, the abatement team has to investigate and get a search warrant before any legal action can take place. The growers are building faster than the investigators can bust them.
If a commercial grower is raided and caught, it is normally a misdemeanor charge resulting up to six months custody in county jail and/or a fine of up to $500.
A felony charge could be made if the person has a serious felony on their record, is a registered sex offender, has two or more illegal cultivation convictions or violated certain environmental laws. Felony penalties are imprisonment in county jail for up to three years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Tim Scott says
A $500 dollar misdemeanor for running an unlicensed business…and this is a top priority for law enforcement because…they are just puppets for Wrecks and the hand up their ass wants his competitors removed. That’s the only way that Wrecks and his cronies can sell the lousy ragweed they are growing in their licensed monopoly.
Vivian e MARES says
There are literally hundreds of marijuana structures in the antelope valley, I am sure they are not all a licensed growers and the locations they are in are not legally supplied with water.
Tim Scott says
Since the only license is the one Wrecks got issued to himself…yeah I am sure they aren’t all licensed too. That doesn’t make a big deal out of anything other than corrupt Wrecks once again lining his pockets first, and using the local sheriff’s office as his private enforcers in the process.
Bob Marley says
Wrecks doesn’t like the competition.
Mike says
THEY WANT EVERYONE IN THE DESERT TO BE BROKE AND ON METH.FOREGET ABOUT THE ENORMOUS REVENUE .THE ONLY ECONOMIC PLUS TO THIS AREA IN 30 YRS
OKFine says
Is there a TIP line for the PoPo if you spot one of these fine fellows running around in the hinterlands of the AV? Besides 911 that is.
Antman says
You can now text to 911. Or (661) 948-8466.
Fox says
Apparently Wrecks doesn’t like the competition. Follow the money, follow the permits issued to grow weed and you will see.
FatWhiteBob says
Such bs. Marijuana should be decriminalized and not regulated. Meanwhile cigarette companies legally kill 100’s of thousands a year.
I’m not impressed.
Steph McCole says
Stealing water and driving without insurance is not cool.
Illegals are bad news says
It’s what the illegals do.
Stolen water is also used for illegal car wash set ups around town. Cash in hand.
Then they get paralyzed drunk and and drive around and crash into infrastructure.
FatWhiteBob says
Stealing water.. No one has stolen more water than the City of Los Angeles.
Seems like these pot farmers have no out of pocket expense. It’s likely those that maintain these farms are slave labor too.
Sam says
If we just permitted more legal, regulated farms, this wouldn’t be a problem. Marijuana is legal, it’s also no big deal. This is like making alcohol legal to consume and sell, but not make, and then busting the producers.
Mike says
THEY WANT EVERYONE IN THE DESERT TO BE BROKE AND ON METH.FOREGET ABOUT THE ENORMOUS REVENUE .THE ONLY ECONOMIC PLUS TO THIS AREA IN 30 YRS
Water Patrol says
They thought they were really clever until they got caught.
Lucas M. says
They are not even ghetto clever. Clever would be growing pot and having the local water agency water it for you.