NORTHSHORE — Eight suspects were arrested late Tuesday night after a vehicle search turned up 127 pounds of marijuana buds and a 9 mm handgun during a traffic stop.
Sgt. James Samples of the Lake County Sheriff”s Office stopped a GMC Suburban on Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks after observing erratic driving, according to a LCSO press release. A brown GMC was following the Suburban closely went west on Highway 20. Prior to the stop, the truck blocked Samples” attempts to maneuver his patrol car between the two vehicles. A license plate check revealed both vehicles were registered to the same owner. Deputy Carla Hockett followed the truck at Samples” request.
Samples found marijuana buds in black plastic garbage bags and a handgun with loose cartridges lying around it on the floor of the car. He arrested the driver, Carlos Eduardo Morales, 19, and passenger Israel Aburto Araiza, 21, both reportedly Boonville residents. Morales was not licensed; Lt. Cecil Brown said he did not know whether or not Morales was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to the LCSO release, Araiza later told deputies he had unloaded the handgun while Samples talked to Morales.
“We believe they actually harvested it (the marijuana); we don”t know that they planted it,” Brown said.
Hockett found more plastic bags when she stopped the GMC truck, according to the release, along with six passengers: Jose Fernandez Rodriguez, 24; Felix Chavez Ramirez, 19; Jose De Jesus Farias Mendoza, 36; Diego Cervantez Zavala, 28; Moises Farias Chavez, 30; Arnulfo Chavez Ramirez, 28. All eight men gave out of county addresses.
Hand-held radios tuned to the same frequencies were found inside both vehicles, according to the release.
The men were arrested for three felony counts related to marijuana possession and conspiracy to commit a crime.
They were also charged having a firearm while committing a felony.
All but one of the men also had felony immigration violations, according to booking detail sheets found at www.lakesheriff.com.
Regarding immigration violations, Brown said, “That”s not something we investigate or prosecute at this level. We do not deal with it other than if they (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) place a hold on them with our jail, then we”ll keep them detained.” Brown said a hold has been placed on seven of the men.
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