Two men arrested after $1.5 million worth of marijuana found in Pinon Hills during wildfire patrol – San Bernardino Sun

Two men were arrested after deputies discovered they were in possession of more than $1.5 million worth of marijuana while deputies patrolled an evacuated area of ​​Pinon Hills Friday, Sept. 13, amid the Bridge Fire, authorities said Sunday.

The men, from Pinon Hills and Bullhead City, Arizona, were arrested on charges of conspiracy, cultivation of marijuana and transportation and sale of marijuana.

Deputies conducting safety patrols around 9:21 p.m. in the 1500 block of Hollister Road — a section of Pinon Hills evacuated due to the bridge fire — conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Suburban towing a trailer with flat tires and no taillights, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

During the traffic stop, officers asked if there was a “strong odor of marijuana” and found about 500 processed marijuana plants in the vehicle's trailer, the sheriff's department said.

One of the suspects was driving a second vehicle behind the SUV to act as a lookout, the sheriff's department said.

Investigators discovered another potential marijuana grow operation at a home in the 1700 block of Trinity Road and executed a search warrant.

During the search, investigators said they found 700 marijuana plants and 600 kilograms of processed marijuana. In total, authorities estimate they found about $1.5 million worth of marijuana.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact detectives at 760-552-6800 or the anonymous We Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or wetip.com

Originally published: September 15, 2024 at 9:33 p.m.