Gang sweep nets 34 arrests

BARSTOW • Officers made 34 arrests and busted a marijuana grow house, seizing more than 100 plants during a weekend gang sweep, police said.

The Barstow Police Department’s Gang SMASH Sweep pulled officers from law enforcement agencies all over San Bernardino County, including the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.

Those arrested during the Friday night sweep were booked for drug charges, parole and probation violations, and outstanding arrest warrants.

At 9:30 p.m., police discovered a marijuana grow house on the 1700 block of Deanza Street. The Sheriff’s marijuana team responded and collected the more than 100 plants at different stages of growth.

Dozens of officers dispersed throughout the Barstow area targeting parolees, probationers and those with outstanding arrest warrants.

“These kinds of sweeps ... it takes (violators) off the streets,” said Barstow Police Sgt. Andy Espinoza Sr. “It calms things down and lets the community know we’re out there to enforce, trying to keep it safe on the streets.”

The first phase of the sweep was checking predetermined locations and ensuring parolees and probationers were in compliance of their release terms. The second phase of the sweep focused more on proactive patrol of known gang members.

Contact the writer: (760) 256-4123 or klucia@desertdispatch.com