Arrests Made in Connection with Illegal Marijuana Cultivation

According to reports from the Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team (ACCNET), in May of this year, they received information of suspicious activity in the area of Ellis Road, and that a Salvador Valencia may be associated with commercial outdoor marijuana cultivation on public lands.  Surveillance of Valencia, temporarily living in Lodi, led to discovery of two commercial marijuana cultivation sites off Salt Springs Road and Ellis Road in Amador County, as well as one on private property in Delhi and a warrant was issued for his arrest. 

Recently, Valencia and four other men were detained in a traffic stop while traveling on Ridge Road in Martell.  All five were arrested on multiple drug-related charges.  Valencia’s residence in Lodi was then searched, revealing processed marijuana, evidence of outdoor marijuana cultivation and sales, and almost $415,000.  The search indicated that the suspects were also receiving various forms of government assistance, despite the large amount of currency located.  Additional evidence revealed cash transfers of several thousand dollars to banks in Mexico over the past 24 months. 

Last week, the US Drug Enforcement Administration took over the investigation for federal proceedings...

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