CLEARLAKE ? Clearlake police arrested three men Friday in connection with an allegedly illegal commercial marijuana growing operation discovered in the Clearlake Park area. Officers seized 200 pounds of fresh, high grade marijuana worth an estimated street value of $600,000.
Mark Fry, 45, of Clearlake who officers believe to be involved in the illegal growing operation, was arrested and booked on charges of planting/cultivating marijuana. Santa Rosa men Francisco Cantu-Gutierrez, 23 and Sergio Palma Hernandez, 24, were also arrested in connection to the case. Cantu-Gutierrez was charged with planting/cultivating marijuana, obstructing/resisting a peace officer and on an immigration violation. Hernandez was arrested on the same as Cantu-Gutierrez with additional charges for providing false identification to a peace officer and an outside agency warrant.
According to Clearlake Police Chief Allan McClain at approximately 8:17 p.m. Friday Officer Regan Stuller responded to the 3300 block of 13th Street to investigate a complaint regarding the possibility of illegal marijuana growing at the residence. Officer Stuller approached the residence to conduct a compliance check and was allegedly overwhelmed by the distinct odor of fresh marijuana emitting from the residence and property, which McClain said was being rented by Fry.
“As Officer Stuller attempted to contact the occupants he was able to observe inside a nearby window four Hispanic males manipulating what he believed to be marijuana,” Chief McClain stated. “After Officer Stuller knocked on the door of the residence a voice from inside the residence asked who was there. Officer Stuller identified himself as a police officer and the four occupants immediately fled out the back door.”
According to Chief McClain, the officer then pursued the suspects, jumping a fence into the backyard. Two suspects were apprehended in the backyard as they were attempting to evade the officer. Chief McClain said that the officer discovered an outdoor marijuana grow in the backyard as well.
A security sweep of the property was conducted in attempted to locate the other suspects who ran. “During the sweep of the house and property officers discovered that the house and surrounding property was being used for an illegal commercial marijuana growing operation,” Chief McClain stated.
Crimes Suppression officers were called to the scene and assumed responsibilities of the investigation. A search warrant was obtained for the residence and surrounding property. As a result of the search, Chief McClain said that officers seized 200 pounds of fresh, high grade growing and drying marijuana worth an estimated street value of $600,000. In addition, two fire arms were seized, one of which Chief McClain said is believed to be stolen out of the State of Nevada. Theft of power was also allegedly revealed during service of the warrant.
Investigation of the incident is ongoing. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Crime Suppression Officer Mike Ray at 994-8251.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.