Suspected Sureños Gang Members Arrested In $2M Illegal Marijuana Grow Bust

SACRAMENTO – Two suspected Sureños gang members, along with two others, were arrested Tuesday, following a raid of an illegal marijuana grow in Sacramento County.

"These armed gang members are learning the hard way that operating a massive, illegal drug operation on state property is a very bad idea," Attorney General Kamala D. Harris said.

The month-long investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 7,000 marijuana plants and 100 pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated street value of $2 million. Also seized were two 12-gauge shotguns and one .22 caliber semi automatic handgun.

In May, the California Department of Justice began investigating suspected Sureño gang members in Tulare County. The investigation led to the discovery of a large-scale illegal marijuana grow in the state-owned Stone Lakes Preserve.

Agents arrested 34-year-old Anthony Uasiarez, and 18-year-old Ruben Guzman, both from Mexico. Also arrested were 22-year-old Jorge Vargas Garcia, and 23-year-old Jose Estrada, both are suspected Sureños gang members from Tulare County.

The four men have been booked into the Sacramento County Jail and charges of possession of marijuana for sale, cultivation of marijuana, conspiracy and being armed in the commission of a felony. All four are each being held on $500,000 bail.