California Authorities Uncover Illegal Cannabis Cultivation Operation and Underground Bunker
In a significant bust, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers in Anderson, California, discovered a large-scale illegal cannabis cultivation operation and an underground bunker stocked with an alarming amount of firearms and ammunition.
The investigation began in December 2025, when the CHP Northern Division Canine Unit received a tip about a suspected illegal marijuana grow on a property in Anderson. After securing a search warrant, CHP Air Operations conducted an overflight of the area, confirming the tip. Over the next month, investigators gathered evidence, and on January 20, they executed a search warrant at the property.
During the search, officers found an underground bunker accessible through a 100-foot-long culvert. The bunker was equipped with power, ventilation, and necessary supplies to cultivate marijuana. In addition to the bunker, authorities seized 13 firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, three AR-15 style assault rifles, and two stolen firearms. They also found four soft body armor vests, 30 high-capacity magazines, and approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds.
The seized firearms included a rifle with an obliterated serial number and two reported stolen in 2016 and 1978, respectively. The cache of weapons and ammunition poses a significant threat to public safety, according to CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli.
Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, of Anderson, was arrested and booked on multiple charges related to the illegal cultivation and possession of firearms and ammunition. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives following up on additional leads.
The California Highway Patrol’s mission is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the public. This successful operation demonstrates the agency’s commitment to combating illegal activities and keeping communities safe.
