HEMET – (INT) – Marijuana cultivations have become year-round as growers bent on making some money and meeting a demand defy laws against the weed.

Riverside County authorities have struck four locations in a rural area south of here in the community of Sage.

Outdoor grow houses with greenhouse-type structures have yielded over 8,200 marijuana plants and 1,700 pounds of processed marijuana prepared for sale.

Three relatives from the Sage area were arrested. They are:
· Mariano Perez, 23 yrs
· Manuel Perez, 32 yrs
· Salvador Perez, 36 yrs

An investigation in nearby Aguanga turned up another 8,400 marijuana plants growing at three locations. Five suspects were arrested.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anonymous tips about suspected marijuana cultivations.

Story Date: May 3, 2016