Five Arrested in Crackdown on Oak Tree Alternative Marijuana Dispensary

A multi-agency task force searched five locations and arrested five people Tuesday in a crackdown on Beaumont's only known marijuana dispensary.

The searches and arrests concluded a seven-month investigation of Oak Tree Alternative Care, the low-profile storefront business at 257 E. 6th St., said Brian Link, commander of the Allied Riverside Cities Narcotics Enforcement Team.

"The Oak Tree Alternative had been operating their business under the guise of medicinal marijuana collective in the City of Beaumont," Link said in a statement released Wednesday morning.

Investigators determined the business was operating outside the scope of California Senate Bill 420, known as the Medical Marijuana Program Act, and Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, Link said.

A search warrant was secured for five locations associated with the business, including residences for the owner and managers of the Oak Tree Alternative.

According to Link, Beaumont police, the San Gorgonio Special Operations Gang Task Force, the West County Narcotic Task Force, and the Coachella Valley Gang Task Force assisted in searches at the following locations:

- Oak Tree Alternative, in the 200 Block of 6th Street in Beaumont

-  The 39000 block of Grand Avenue in Cherry Valley

- The 1000 block of Massachusetts Avenue in Beaumont

- The 33000 block of Old Trail in Yucaipa

- The 33000 block of Yucaipa Boulevard in Yucaipa

Two of the residential locations had illegal marijuana grows inside the homes, Link said. Seized during the searches were processed marijuana, hashish, business documents, and other evidence of illegal sales and use of marijuana, Link said.

According to Link, the individuals arrested were identified as Arthur Day Moreno, 39, of Yucaipa; Nicole Ward, 19, of Beaumont; Jae Hoon John Sihn, 24, of Cherry Valley; Sara Lynn Mudd, 21, of Yucaipa; and Arlene Roseanna Soto, 21, of Beaumont.

All the arrested persons were charged with conspiracy and possession of marijuana for sales, Link said. They were booked at Larry Smith D. Correctional Facility in Banning, Link said.

The Allied Riverside Cities Narcotics Enforcement Team includes personnel from the Riverside County Probation Department, Beaumont police, Banning police, the sheriff's Hemet Station, and the San Jacinto Police Department. It is managed by the California Office of Attorney General’s Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.

Link is with the Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Beaumont police Chief Frank Coe said.

The task force urged anyone to report illegal narcotic activity by calling (951) 922-4844 or WeTip at (800) 782-7463). Anonymous tips are accepted, and cash rewards are offered in some investigations, Link said.