Police Destroy Over 650 Marijuana Plants in Quail Valley

One man was arrested and three other suspects were identified Thursday, Aug. 6 after Menifee Police Department officers discovered illegal cultivation of approximately 650 marijuana plants at various locations in the Quail Valley community of Menifee.

Search warrants were served at four locations, according to authorities. The marijuana plants, which were eradicated, were in various stages of growth. When fully grown and processed, they would've yielded an estimated 1,200 to 1,800 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value well over $1 million, police said.

Juan Arriega Ortiz, 23, was arrested and booked at the Southwest Detention Center for cultivation of marijuana. Because three other suspects identified were not present, charges will be filed with the Riverside County District Attorney at a later time.