Underground bunker, "alarming cache" of illegal firearms found by CHP after a tip about illegal grow in Anderson

 

Last Thursday, CHP Northern Division issued a press release about the arrest of 40 year old Michael Jay Kamfolt. It took a few days for regional and national news to cover the bust.

CHP Press Release:

Multiple firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition were recovered in Anderson, Calif., following a tip and subsequent investigation that led to an illicit cannabis cultivation operation and underground bunker.

In December 2025, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Northern Division Canine Unit received information about a suspected illegal marijuana cultivation operation on a property in Anderson. After securing a search warrant, CHP Air Operations conducted an overflight of the area, further confirming the information received.

Following an approximate month-long investigation, members of the CHP Northern Division Warrant Service Team executed a search warrant at the property on January 20.

During the search, officers discovered an underground bunker accessible through a 100-foot-long culvert. The bunker was equipped with power, ventilation, a concrete floor with built-in drainage and the necessary supplies to cultivate marijuana. 

In addition to the bunker, officers seized 13 firearms, four soft body armor vests, 30 high-capacity magazines, and approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds. Among the seized firearms were a sawed-off shotgun, three AR-15 style assault rifles, one with an obliterated serial number, and two firearms reported stolen in 2016 and 1978 respectively. 

“This operation went far beyond an illegal grow. The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety. I am proud of the tireless work of our Northern Division personnel that led to this arrest.”

Michael Jay Kamfolt, age 40, of Anderson, was arrested and booked for the following:

30605(a) PC – Possession of an Assault Rifle

30600(a) PC – Manufacturing of an Assault Rifle

33215 PC – Manufacturing of a Short Barreled Rifle

32625(a) PC – Possession of a Machine Gun

32625(b) PC – Converting a firearm into a Machine Gun

23920 PC – Possession of an Altered Firearm Serial Number

24610 PC – Manufacturing and Possession of an Undetectable Firearm

496(a) – Possession of a Stolen Firearm

29180(b) PC – Manufacturing of a “Ghost Gun”

30315 PC – Possession of Armor Penetrating Ammunition

32310(C) PC – Possession of High Capacity magazine

 This investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to follow up on additional leads.