Press Releases

Details:

In early April 2020, deputies assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff Station’s Problem Oriented Policing Team recognized a high influx of illegal indoor marijuana cultivation sites in the Rosetta Canyon Community in Lake Elsinore. Deputies conducted numerous investigations in the community including a residence on the 45000 block of Carla Court.

On April 28, 2020, at the direction of Sheriff Chad Bianco, deputies served a search warrant near the 45000 block of Carla Court. As a result of the search warrant, approximately 654 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were located and collected. One suspect was located at the residence. The suspect, Weijie Zhen, a 26-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore, was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside for illegal marijuana cultivation, possession for sales of marijuana, and theft of electricity.

In addition, the electrical system within the home was illegally altered causing a severe fire hazard. The home was transformed using common building materials into a marijuana cultivation sites. Lake Elsinore Code Enforcement / Building and Safety deemed the residence uninhabitable. Southern California Edison responded and turned the power off due to the illegal wiring throughout the residence.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Meissen at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station (951) 245-3300.

As a reminder, "Community Policing" involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.

Weijie Zhen