After multiple bodies were discovered shot dead in a remote area of the Mojave Desert in southern California, police have detained five persons.
Following a gunshot victim’s 911 call, a police helicopter was dispatched to the graphic crime scene and six bodies were discovered.
San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office investigators stated on Monday that they believe the conflict has something to do with growing marijuana illegally.
According to police, four of the six victims have been identified thus far
On January 23, the bodies—all of which were male—were discovered off a highway close to El Mirage, a town in San Bernardino County. According to police, all six victims died from gunshot wounds.
Significant burns were also sustained by four of the victims, Sgt. Michael Warrick informed reporters on Monday.
When one of the victims called 911 to report that he had been shot, the investigation got underway.
At approximately 20:15 local time (04:15 GMT), a police helicopter was dispatched to locate the victims and a bullet-riddled SUV and minivan. The location is approximately 90 miles (144 km) northeast of Los Angeles.
One man was found inside a car, and the other four were discovered close to one another. The last body was found by officers a short
The SUV appeared to be full of bullets, with broken windows and fire debris visible in the aerial footage taken at the scene.
Regarding the motivation, Sgt. Warrick expressed confidence that it seems to be a dispute over marijuana.
“Investigators determined the victims had arranged to meet at the location for a marijuana transaction,” the sheriff’s office stated in a news release.
“Arrived at the location, and for reasons still under investigation, shot the six victims,” is how the five men in custody put it.
Investigators have seized eight firearms, which are undergoing testing to see if they were used in the murders.
Authorities cited “organized crime” as the reason for the killings rather than commenting on whether the deaths were connected to gangs or cartels.
Although adult use and purchase of cannabis has been legal in California since 2016, there is still a black market for untaxed marijuana.
According to the sheriff’s office, last year, police in San Bernardino County carried out 411 search warrants for illicit marijuana operations, seizing 74,000lbs (34,000kg) of processed cannabis.