CLEARLAKE – Sixteenth Street in Clearlake Park was lit up by emergency lights Monday evening when fire personnel responded to a report of a structure fire followed by police response as the fire involved a marijuana cultivation room.
According to Clearlake Police Lt. Mike Hermann, the cause of the fire was attributed to an attempt to bypass PG&G. Although the attempt was not fruitful, Hermann said PG&E personnel did respond and pulled the meter.
One person was arrested in the incident on a felony no-bail warrant out of Orange County. Anita Hancock, 41, of North Las Vegas, had reportedly fled the scene, however, returned while officers were on the scene at which time she was identified and taken into custody on the warrant.
According to Lt. Hermann, the cultivation operation was not in compliance with Prop. 215. A total of 84 immature plants and one mature plant were reportedly located in the garage area of the home.
The cultivation operation is being handled by the Lake County Narcotics Task Force, Hermann said, and a complaint will be forwarded to the District Attorney”s Office.
“We are seeing a lot of marijuana grows going on in residential locations and we are sure that not all of them are 215 compliant,” Hermann said. “We often see cases in which the spirit of Prop. 215 is being abused. Our standpoint is, if you are growing marijuana and you are not complying with the guidelines of 215, we will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
Canines that were reportedly growling at fire personnel during the incident were taken safely into custody by Animal Care and Control officers.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
