Underground bunker, huge weapons cache found at Anderson property; man arrested in suspected illegal grow operation
Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, was arrested Jan. 20, 2026, after CHP officers uncovered a fortified underground bunker accessed through a 100-foot culvert, a large-scale marijuana cultivation operation and a substantial cache of illegal firearms and ammunition on his Anderson property.
- Search led to discovery: A December tip and aerial overflight prompted a Jan. 20 search that revealed a concealed bunker and grow operation.
- Extensive weapons haul: Investigators seized 13 firearms, a ghost gun, ~10,000 rounds (including armor-piercing), 30 high-capacity magazines and body armor.
- Multiple felony counts: Kamfolt faces nearly a dozen weapons-related charges, including manufacturing a ghost gun and possession of armor-penetrating ammunition.
- Investigation ongoing: Detectives are tracing serial numbers and following leads on stolen and altered firearms to determine broader involvement.
Key information
- Who: Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, of Anderson, California. (ShastaScout; Fox News; California Highway Patrol (CHP))
- Where: Private property in Anderson, Shasta County; an underground bunker accessed through a 100-foot culvert. (California Highway Patrol (CHP))
- When: Tip received December 2025; search and arrest executed Jan. 20, 2026. (CHP)
- What seized: 13 firearms (including AR-15 style rifles and a sawed-off shotgun), a ghost gun, ~10,000 rounds of ammunition (including armor-piercing), 30 high-capacity magazines and four body armor vests. (Fox News; CHP)
- Charges: Nearly a dozen weapons-related felony counts, including possession/manufacture of assault weapons, manufacturing a ghost gun, possession of armor-penetrating ammunition and conversion of firearms. (CHP)
How investigators found the bunker and grow
The California Highway Patrol Northern Division said investigators received a tip in December 2025 about a suspected illegal marijuana cultivation operation on the Anderson property. After an aerial overflight that showed signs consistent with an illicit grow, officers obtained a search warrant and executed it on Jan. 20, 2026. (CHP.)
During the ground search, officers discovered a 100-foot-long culvert leading to a fortified, subterranean bunker. CHP described the space as having power and ventilation, a concrete floor with built-in drainage and supplies consistent with large-scale marijuana cultivation. The agency emphasized that the hidden nature of the bunker — and the scale of weapons discovered — significantly increased the danger compared with a routine grow. (Fox News; CHP.)
What was recovered at the scene
Investigators seized an extensive cache of weapons and ammunition from the bunker. The CHP inventory listed:
- 13 firearms — including a sawed-off shotgun, three AR-15 style rifles (one with its serial number obliterated), a ghost gun (unserialized, self-assembled) and two firearms reported stolen in 2016 and 1978.
- Approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds.
- 30 high-capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests.
Officials noted the mix of altered weapons, stolen firearms and large ammunition supplies raised urgent safety concerns. The presence of an obliterated serial number and a ghost gun prompted questions about supply chains and whether the weapons were acquired domestically or sourced through illicit networks. (CHP; Fox News.)
Charges, custody and background information
Kamfolt was arrested at the property and booked on a slate of weapons-related felony charges outlined by CHP. Counts include possession and manufacture of assault rifles, manufacturing a short-barreled rifle, possession of a machine gun, conversion of a firearm into a machine gun, possession of armor-penetrating ammunition, possession of high-capacity magazines and manufacturing a ghost gun. (CHP.)
Booking and custody: Local reporting indicated Kamfolt was initially held in the Shasta County Jail with bail set at $50,000 and later was no longer in custody per that reporting. Court records reviewed by local outlets showed no prior criminal convictions. (ShastaScout.)
Local coverage also noted Kamfolt’s participation in civic activities, such as attending Shasta County election office meetings and other board gatherings. CHP officials say the investigation remains active as detectives pursue additional leads to determine whether others were involved and how the firearms were obtained or distributed. (CHP.)
Law enforcement perspective
“This operation went far beyond an illegal grow,” CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli said, emphasizing the public safety implications of a hidden bunker combined with an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition. (CHP.)
The agency noted it used an aerial overflight to confirm signs of illegal cultivation before serving the warrant — a tactic intended to limit surprises and coordinate a safer execution. Detectives are tracing serial numbers where possible and following leads on stolen and altered firearms. (Fox News; CHP.)
Implications for Fresno, California
The Anderson discovery highlights issues that resonate across the San Joaquin Valley, including Fresno County. Local officials and residents may draw several lessons and concerns from the case.
- Public safety and community risk: A hidden bunker with a large weapons cache elevates risks for nearby communities and first responders; Fresno-area agencies may need to anticipate similar concealment tactics. (CHP.)
- Law enforcement cooperation: Federal, state and local partners often share intelligence and resources to investigate illicit grows and illegal firearms; the Anderson case shows how tips, aerial surveillance and coordinated search can uncover broader criminal activity. (CHP.)
- Impact on legitimate cannabis businesses: Illegal cultivation undercuts licensed growers and brings criminal elements into agricultural areas; cases like this may spur calls for stronger enforcement and monitoring of water and power use. (Fox News.)
- Community awareness: The discovery underscores the value of public tips — residents spotting unusual dirt movement, new culverts, high electricity use or strange deliveries should report concerns to local law enforcement. (CHP.)
- Political and civic trust: Reporting that the arrested man attended local election office meetings may prompt questions about community actors who engage in civic processes; transparency and swift law enforcement response help maintain public confidence. (ShastaScout.)
As the CHP continues its probe, residents and officials across the region — including Fresno — will watch how investigators trace the weapons, determine the bunker’s purpose and follow leads that could reveal broader criminal networks. (CHP; Fox News; ShastaScout.)
