CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), along with law enforcement partners, conducted the day-long investigation in September after identifying potential suspects who were then invited to bid on various home construction projects at a predetermined location. Two people were served with criminal charges for illegal contractor activities. These two individuals both had outstanding warrants for contracting without a license and were arrested at the scene.

Unlicensed contractors arrested in this operation may also face additional charges for advertising their construction services without the required license. Under California law, it is illegal to advertise construction or home improvement work without having a valid license in the classification being advertised. When advertising contract services, unlicensed persons must specifically disclose their lack of a license and may not bid on a job with a value of more than $500, including labor and materials.

Registrar David Fogt reiterated CSLB's commitment to consumer protection: “Our primary goal is to protect consumers from the risks associated with unlicensed contractors. As part of this effort, we make it a priority to educate the public on the importance of hiring licensed contractors and verifying their license before entering into a construction contract.”

He also highlighted state law that imposes limits on down payments and down payments for home improvement projects. Deposits are limited to 10% of the total project cost or a cap of $1,000, whichever is less. Advance payments may not exceed the value of the work performed. Failure to comply is considered a misdemeanor, potentially punishable by one year in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

For more information or to report suspected unlicensed contractor activity, please visit the CSLB website at www.cslb.ca.gov or contact CSLB toll-free at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). For ongoing information and updates from CSLB, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Photos: San Carlos Sting Operation

About CSLB: CSLB operates under the auspices of the Department of Consumer Affairs and is licensed and regulated approximately 285,000 contractors in California.
Source: CSLB

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Seven people were arrested this week for allegedly running a criminal operation linked to a variety of felonies including vehicle theft, firearms trafficking, insurance fraud, money laundering and criminal profiteering at several locations in San Mateo and San Francisco, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspects allegedly played various roles within the organization to obtain illicit funds from stolen or embezzled property and establish and operate a nonprofit organization to launder the illicit funds.

They are Boen Liu, Helena Nong, Louis Lee, Immenson Liu, Natalie Huntington, Nicholas Lanchinebre and Mickey Rivera. Seized were more than 30 vehicles and motorcycles, more than $30,000, five illegal firearms, large quantities of narcotics and marijuana, documentation with fraud and grand theft crimes, numerous bank and business accounts and more than $40,000 in stolen property.

Agents linked the organization to a residential burglary and grand theft of a residence in the city of San Mateo. The owner of the residence had recently died and numerous suspects lived there without the new owner’s knowledge. They stashed narcotics, stolen property and firearms there, which were seized, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

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FAIRFIELD (BCN) – Police in Fairfield red-tagged a commercial building and a residence last week for being too dangerous for occupation or habitation after more than 1,500 marijuana plants were discovered being grown illegally inside the two buildings.

Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Bell Avenue at about 7:15 am last Friday regarding a suspicious incident and possible burglary. Once on scene, major damage to a roll-up garage door was detected and the front door to the building was ajar. Inside during a search, police found multiple rooms filled with more than 900 marijuana plants, grow lights, illegal and exposed electrical wiring modified plumbing, ventilation systems and unknown chemicals.

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No one was located inside the commercial building.

Illegal marijuana growing operation found in Fairfield in March 2022. (Fairfield Police Department)

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During the early morning hours of last Saturday, police were dispatched to the 3000 block of Dover Avenue following up on a report of a residential burglary in progress and gunfire being exchanged. When officers arrived, they found the front door pried open, broken glass and the front door riddled with bullet holes. During the investigation, more than 600 marijuana plants were found inside along with firearms, grow lights, illegal and exposed electrical wiring ventilation systems and unknown chemicals.

There have been no arrests.

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