Anderson man’s underground bunker yields massive illegal firearms cache during illicit marijuana cultivation probe
California Highway Patrol arrested Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, on Jan. 20, 2026, after a probe into illicit marijuana cultivation at his rural Anderson property uncovered an underground bunker containing a large illegal firearms cache, ammunition and body armor.
Key takeaways
- Who: Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, arrested by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
- Where: Rural Anderson property, Shasta County — bunker entrance hidden behind a 100-foot culvert.
- What was seized: 13 firearms, roughly 10,000 rounds (including armor‑piercing), 30 high‑capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests.
- Charges: Nearly a dozen weapons-related Penal Code counts including ghost‑gun manufacturing, possession of armor‑piercing ammunition and possession of stolen firearms.
Investigation and discovery
CHP’s Northern Division Canine Unit opened the investigation in December 2025 after a tip about suspected illicit marijuana cultivation. An overflight by CHP Air Operations verified unusual activity before officers obtained and served a search warrant on Jan. 20, 2026.
Officers found a concealed, fortified underground bunker accessed through a 100‑foot‑long culvert. Inside the subterranean space investigators reported built-in power and ventilation, a concrete floor with drainage and equipment consistent with a sustained cannabis grow operation.
Photos released by CHP show the long tunnel entrance, the interior layout and the significant weapons haul recovered during the search. For the CHP account, see the CHP news release; additional reporting is available in the Fox News report.
Items seized and charges
CHP officers reported seizing a wide array of weapons and gear stored inside the bunker alongside the grow operation:
- Firearms: 13 firearms, including three AR‑15‑style rifles (one with an obliterated serial number), a sawed‑off shotgun and two firearms reported stolen (one stolen in 2016, another in 1978).
- Ammunition: Roughly 10,000 rounds, including armor‑piercing rounds.
- Accessories and protective gear: 30 high‑capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests.
Kamfolt was booked on nearly a dozen Penal Code counts tied to the weapons found. CHP listed charges including, but not limited to:
- 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 and 32625(b) PC: Possession of a machine gun and converting a firearm into a machine gun
- 29180(b) PC: Manufacturing of a “ghost gun”
- 23920 PC: Possession of an altered firearm serial number
- 30315 PC: Possession of armor‑penetrating ammunition
- 32310(C) PC: Possession of a high‑capacity magazine
- 496(a) PC: Possession of a stolen firearm
Official response
“This operation went far beyond an illegal grow,” CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli said. “The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety.”
Public reaction and ongoing probe
Photos and details released by CHP prompted attention on social media. Some posts framed the site as a survivalist or “prepper” setup, with comments summarized in reporting. Detectives said the investigation remains active as they pursue leads on weapon origins and possible co-conspirators. No further public updates were available beyond the Jan. 20 CHP release.
For the CHP summary and released images, see the CHP news release. Fox News compiled additional details and social reactions in its Fox News report.
Why this case matters nationwide
Key national issues include:
- Ghost guns and altered serial numbers: At least one weapon with an obliterated serial number and allegations of ghost‑gun manufacturing raise traceability and background‑check concerns.
- Large volumes of ammunition: Ten thousand rounds and armor‑piercing rounds increase scrutiny over intent and public‑safety risk.
- Illegal grows masking other crimes: The case illustrates how illicit cultivation sites can conceal stolen property, weapons caches and fortified infrastructure.
Implications for the United States
This incident highlights several broader implications: strain on law enforcement resources when air operations, canine units and specialized detectives are required; continued policy debates over ghost guns, high‑capacity magazines and armor‑piercing ammunition; challenges tracing stolen firearms that reappear decades later; and the vulnerability of rural properties to hidden criminal enterprises. High‑profile seizures and subsequent prosecutions can serve as both enforcement tools and policy touchpoints.
Reporting and sources
This report is based on information released by the California Highway Patrol and reporting by Fox News. Primary sources:
- CHP news release — CHP summary of the investigation, photos and list of items seized.
- Fox News report — additional details, social media reaction and reporting.
No further updates were available from CHP as of the Jan. 20, 2026, news release. Authorities say detectives will pursue leads in the active investigation.
