Modesto Police Department News Release

MARIJUANA CULTIVATION DISCOVERED

Modesto, CA – Modesto Police discovered an elaborate marijuana cultivation operation after a tip from a utility crew.

On Monday, October 26^th, at about 2:40 pm, the Modesto Police Crime Reduction Unit (CRT) received a call from a representative of utility service provider indicating that a transformer had malfunctioned twice in the area of El Vista and Scenic.  Their testing revealed that an excessive amount of power was being drawn to a home at 660 El Vista Avenue.  The large home sits in the Dry Creek river basin just east of the El Vista Bridge.  The home is owned by the City of Modesto and rented by a private property management firm.

Officers initially contacted three men in front of the home and within moments smelled a strong odor of marijuana.  When the officers knocked at the front door it was answered and they could see at least one man running up the stairs to the second story.  Two additional men were found inside.  Of the five men found at the home, one man ran and is still being sought by police.

The Modesto Police Narcotics Enforcement Team (MNET) assisted with the investigation.  A search warrant was issued and the methodical search that followed revealed over 560 marijuana plants and a sophisticated marijuana growing operation in all areas of the large home.  The marijuana had an estimated street value of approximately one million dollars.

Two trucks, a ski boat, two jet skis, and $4000 were seized from the home during the investigation.

The four men arrested are 24-year-old Chahalis (Washington) resident Cesar Sanchez, 24-year-old Los Angeles resident Carlos Torres, 45-year-old Modesto resident Pablo Zamora and 21-year-old Modesto resident Mauricio Zamora.  All were booked for cultivation of marijuana.  Additionally, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was contacted and each were placed on an immigration hold.  A fifth man, 31-year-old Ceres resident Valdemar Zamora, is wanted by investigators in relation to this case.  Police cannot rule out the possibility of additional arrests.

The investigation led to a home in the 2200 block of Golfito in La Grange.  Members of MNET and CRT served a search warrant and located evidence of another sophisticated marijuana growing operation that supported approximately 400 marijuana plants.  The home was associated with the suspect who remains at large; Valdemar Zamora.

The City of Modesto Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department will follow-up with the property management firm to evaluate options to prevent any similar situations in the future.  In addition, the Department will be consulting with their Building Services Unit on implementing an enhanced property inspection program.

Investigators ask anyone with information about the Valdemar Zamora’s whereabouts to call the Modesto Police Department or Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636.  Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.  Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

For additional information regarding this press release please contact Modesto Police spokesman Sergeant Brian Findlen at (209) 652-1386 or City of Modesto Public Relations Analyst Jessica Smart at (209) 571-5125.