LAKE COUNTY — In continuing its investigation into illegal marijuana cultivation operations in Lake County, Lake County Sheriff”s deputies along with law enforcement officials from a State of California, Department of Justice Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) team discovered an illegal garden containing more than 10,000 marijuana plants as well as several firearms.
The illegal garden was discovered approximately eight-tenths of a mile away from another illegal garden that was discovered on Aug. 4 in the area of Socrates Mine Road and Ford Flat Road between Middletown and Cobb. During the Aug. 4 investigation, an armed suspect was shot and killed by a sheriff”s deputy.
Sheriff Sgt. Brian Martin said incidentally, on Tuesday family members identified the man killed Aug. 4 as Juan Sanchez Corona, 51, of Michoacan, Mexico.
According to Martin, officials are investigation the possibility that the persons responsible for the illegal garden discovered on Tuesday are connected to the illegal garden discovered on Aug. 4.
According to Martin, several firearms were also discovered during Tuesday”s investigation. He said the firearms were located in concealed locations in and around the garden. “Officials discovered that all of the firearms were loaded and there was extra ammunition located at the site for all the weapons,” he said. “The weapons included three shotguns, one of which had a pistol grip; and assault rifle with a scope and another rifle.”
Martin said that officials also discovered a night vision scope that has the ability to project an infrared beam. “This type of device allows the user to broadcast light that is invisible to the naked eye, but allows anyone equipped with a night vision device to see just as clearly as if a spotlight were being used,” he said. “Officials also discovered ammunition for two other caliber firearms at the campsite. Weapons capable of firing this type of ammunition were not located during their extensive search. This ammunition is the type most commonly used for handguns.”
Martin said that officials discovered three unoccupied tens in and around the garden as well. He said they also discovered recent footprints and determined that the marijuana plants had been watered within hours of their arrival.
According to Martin, the garden was located on a remote portion of a large parcel of private property. He said the property owner is not suspected of being involved.
The Lake County Sheriff”s Office would like to remind all people that access remote lands to be mindful and vigilant of these illegal marijuana operations. “If you come across such an operation, you are urged to immediately back out of the area and notify the sheriff”s department,” Martin said.
