RSO celebrates 4/20 by raiding Anza illegal grows, “tons” confiscated

ANZA — Under the guidance and direction of recently elected Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, officials from multiple agencies conducted a coordinated marijuana eradication operation throughout the Anza Valley today. April 20, or 4/20 – pronounced four-twenty – is slang in cannabis culture for the consumption of marijuana and also refers to annual cannabis-oriented celebrations that take place world-wide on April 20.

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“We treated 4/20 a little different…. yes, there is a new Sheriff in town,” Sheriff Chad Bianco announced on social media after today’s successful enforcement operation. The raids occurred throughout the Anza and Sage areas and resulted in the seizure of “tons of illegal marijuana,” according to Bianco.

The operation, which involved Hemet Sheriffs Station deputies, Code Enforcement officers, and California Water Board officials, began early this morning and continued well into the afternoon.

“There is a new Sheriff in town,” Sheriff Chad Bianco announced on social media after today’s enforcement operation throughout the Anza Valley.

As the operation was getting underway, about a dozen law enforcement and other official vehicles were seen heading into the Anza Valley, where officials fanned out to conduct the day’s enforcement sweep.

“Several illegal operations were targeted with tons of illegal marijuana confiscated,” explained Bianco, who actively participated in this morning’s raids.

“Illegal marijuana grows will not be tolerated in Riverside County,” Bianco continued. “If you choose to grow marijuana illegally, expect a visit from us.”

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Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.