Cannabis Bootlegging Investigation Leads to Arrests
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Date: February 25, 2021
Prepared By/Contact Person: Chief of Police, Michael Salvador
Cannabis Bootlegging Investigation Leads to Arrests
The Coalinga and the Orange Cove Police Departments completed a joint investigation into reports of the illegal sale, manufacturing, and cultivation of Cannabis in the City of Coalinga. Over the past several weeks undercover officers were able to purchase cannabis from the subjects in this case. The company, Dirt Mouth Farms, was operating unlicensed from the City of Coalinga selling cannabis via the use of social media.
Earlier today officers served Search Warrants in the Cities of Fresno, Hanford, the Kings County Community of Armona and the 300 Block of Harrison St. in the City of Coalinga related to this case. Officers seized plants, processed cannabis, processing equipment, and cultivation equipment. Officers also recovered a stolen vehicle.
Arrests have been made in this case. Joseph Johnson ( age 37 ) resident of Hanford, Jesse Stone ( age 36 ) resident of Armona, and Michael Sullivan ( age 47 ) resident of Hanford were taken into custody on a variety of state drug trafficking charges and will be booked into the Fresno County Jail. These subjects also face a variety of city regulatory sanctions that include a $1000.00 per plant fines.
Chief Salvador stated that even though the City of Coalinga is licensing commercial cannabis companies pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Safety and Regulation Act, the Police Department will take aggressive enforcement action against unlicensed operators that violate both State Law and the Licensing Regulations of the City.
Coalinga Huron Unified School District