Arrests Made After Authorities Find Alleged Marijuana Cultivation Operation

PERRIS (CBSLA.com) — Several people have been arrested on various charges after authorities say they uncovered more than 1,000 pounds of unprocessed marijuana from a home in Perris.

Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Ken Zunker said in a department statement that while talking to the occupants of a vehicle during a check on Thursday evening, authorities learned that the parties were meeting to engage in an alleged narcotics transaction.

Three people were subsequently detained.

"Further investigation [led] to the officers authoring a search warrant for a residence and large property located in the 21500 block of Yucca Rd., in the unincorporated area of Perris," the statement said.

After serving the warrant, authorities say they discovered an alleged marijuana cultivation operation which included, "three large green houses, drying rooms and indicia common with the illicit sales and cultivation of marijuana."

Deputies arrested 19-year-old Najeeb Diab of San Jacinto; Cruz Campista, 29, of Perris; Sergio Martinez, 42, of Perris; and Ismael Mendez, 45, of Perris on various charges.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case was asked to contact Deputy Gil or Deputy Medina at (951) 210-1000.