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January 11, 2010
10-002
Subject: San Francisco Police Arrest Four Suspects In Three Separate Marijuana Residential Grow Busts
San Francisco police arrested four
suspects in residential marijuana grow busts yesterday, Sunday, January 10, at
approximately 11:00 A.M. In a continuing
response to the dangers posed to the public from illegal marijuana cultivation,
such as residential fires, members of Taraval, Bayview, and Ingleside stations,
assisted by members of the Narcotics Division, simultaneously executed three search
warrants regarding illicit marijuana grows and the theft of utility services at
three separate locations.
The
locations searched were 130 Cresta
Vista Drive, 15 Dorchester Way, and 1400-1402 Kansas Street. Officers observed an elaborate marijuana grow
operation with numerous grow lights and ballasts in place at each location,
including both flats on Kansas. Police seized a total of over 5,900 marijuana
plants, with an estimated street value in excess of $200,000.
Each
location also had electricity conducted by means of an electrical bypass to the
meter, constituting a theft of electrical utilities.
At
the Cresta Vista location, police arrested residents Jon Rahoi, 36, and his
wife Yan Ling Rahoi, 40. Three children
under the age of eight at that location were released to relatives. Police also arrested Robin Rahoi, 27, brother
of Jon Rahoi, at his Dorchester residence, and Miguel Esteban Ponce, 37, who
resides at 1402 Kansas.
All
four adults were charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana
for sale, and theft of utility services.
Jon Rahoi and Yan Ling Rahoi were also charged with child endangerment.
Police
Chief George Gascón praised the officers involved. “The coordinated and swift efforts of
officers from three stations and members of the Narcotics team resulted in the
seizure of an exceptionally large amount of marijuana plants and four arrests,”
he said. “The message is that the SFPD
will track down these illegal house grows and arrest those involved.”
Fire
Chief Joanne Hayes-White stated that, “Fires associated with residential marijuana
grows are an ever-present danger.
Because so many San Francisco
houses are built attached to each other, the danger of a fire spreading is
increased, further threatening both life and property.”
For
more information, please contact:
Media
Relations Unit
553-1651
850 Bryant Street, Room 549, San Francisco, CA. 94103
Tel (415) 553-1651 / Fax (415) 553-9229
email:sfpd.online@sfgov.org |
