The Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team raided an illegal marijuana farm in Lucerne Valley Wednesday. Investigators served a search warrant on a home in the 10200 block of Baker Street where they found a large marijuana cultivation on the five-acre property. The marijuana plants were growing within an area enclosed with a six foot tall plywood fence. A well on the property supplied water to the plants. A total of 191 mature marijuana plants, ranging from 2 to 4 feet tall, and all in the budding stage, were seized. Investigators also recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and a 22-caliber rifle. Miguel Ortega, 35, was arrested and booked for cultivation of marijuana, being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, and on a warrant for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Miguel Ortega is being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center.
