Authorities say seven Laotians killed at an illegal marijuana farm in Riverside County near Los Angeles in 2020 were likely victims of human trafficking.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told CBS News he believes the seven were forced to work at the farm.
He also announced that his department has identified three persons of interest in the case who they believe are part of a gang.
“We do believe this is a human trafficking incident where they were brought here just to work at this marijuana grow, and so they were there solely for that purpose,” he said.
The suspects barged into a home killing their victims. Deputies arrived to find six people dead. A seventh would later die at the hospital, according to Fox11.
The Sheriff’s Department found more than 1,000 marijuana plants and processed marijuana with a total value of as much as $5 million.
The victims have been identified as Khamphour Nanthavongdovane, 53, Vikham Silimanotham, 64, Phone Chankhamany, 54, Khamtoune Silimanotham, 59, Souphanh Pienthiene, 48, Thongpath Luangkoth, 47, and Samantha Sourignasak, 44.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Central Homicide Unit Master Investigator Victor Magana or Master Investigator Ryan Deanne at (951) 955-2777 or by email [email protected]. Individuals can also submit information through the Sheriff’s Office Online Tip Line.
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