Federal agents arrested three men and discovered 481 marijuana plants on January 20, 2021 while serving an arrest warrant stemming from a maritime smuggling investigation in Perris, California.
Agents conducted a targeted arrest of the man who was wanted for illegal re-entry after deportation and suspected of being involved in maritime smuggling. The man was driving a Toyota Tacoma and agents followed him to a rural area.
When the agents attempted to make contact, the man fled on foot.
While the agents pursued the man, he fled through an illegal marijuana growing operation where he was employed. After a short chase, the agents apprehended the 35-year old Mexican national.
The marijuana operation site was being tended to by two additional men, who were also found to be Mexican nationals unlawfully present in the U.S. There were 481 marijuana plants at the site and $5,000 in U.S. currency.
The agents arrested and transported all three men to a nearby station for processing.
