Detectives seize large marijuana grows, arrest 3 in Menifee

Police photos show part of the processed marijuana and plants seized during the service of search warrants.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Three Menifee men were arrested on suspicion of marijuana cultivation at a residence on Bundy Canyon Road today, police said.

Menifee Police Department detectives and patrol officers served search warrants this morning at residences in the 25700 block and 25800 block that are next door to each other, said Captain Dave Gutierrez. This was part of a follow-up investigation of an Aug. 17 incident in which police received multiple reports of shots fired at that location, just west of Murrieta Road.

On Aug. 17, officers responding to the residence in the 25700 block of Bundy Canyon Road found no evidence of a shooting, and no one was home at the time. Officers discovered a large illegal outdoor marijuana grow. They also saw a second large illegal outdoor marijuana grow at the residence in the 25800 block.

Officers contacted two residents at the second location that night. Both said they heard the gun shots but did not see anything, according to Gutierrez. Officers located several firearm casings in front of that residence. An extensive search of the area was conducted and no one else was located. Detectives began an investigation.

Upon serving the search warrants this morning:

At the residence in the 25700 block of Bundy Canyon Road, 392 marijuana plants were seized. No subjects were located there.

At the residence in the 25800 block of Bundy Canyon Road, 683 marijuana plants, 1,090 pounds of processed marijuana, and a .22 caliber rifle were seized.

Arrested for marijuana cultivation and sales were Leonard Acosta, 27; Jennifer Garcia Martinez, 27; and Alexander Xavier Diaz, 26. The firearm casings located on Aug. 17 do not match the .22 caliber rifle located today, Gutierrez said.

Detectives were not able to confirm the circumstances surrounding the report of shots fired on Aug. 17.