An Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation that began in April 2012; after the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District reported to law enforcement that a residents was using an unusually large amount of electricity that they suspected to be related to marijuana growing, resulted in a federal grand jury returning a two-count indictment last Wednesday, charging Zhiqiang Liu, 59, of Oakland, Shihong Chen, 47, Qinghong Li, 44, both of San Francisco, and Jun Mou Peng, 39, with crimes related to cultivating marijuana in seven homes.
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement agents conducted searches on the following seven homes:
- 8646 Everidge Court, Sacramento
- 8270 Cliffcrest Drive, Sacramento
- 35 Caina Court, Sacramento
- 3713 45th Avenue, Sacramento
- 6901 Pradera Mesa Drive, Sacramento
- 9761 McKenna Drive Elk Grove
- 8108 Gwerder Court, Elk Grove.
By the end of the searches law enforcement agents seized 2,912 marijuana plants, approximately 100 pounds of processed marijuana, and more than $4000 in cash. Agents found the defendants in the grow house along with seven others who were arrested and face state drug trafficking charges.
The defendants were arraigned on last Thursday and pleaded not guilty. A status conference is scheduled for April 24, 2013 before U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, and the Elk Grove Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Olusere Olowoyeye is prosecuting the case.
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