LAKE COUNTY — The service of two search warrants by the Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Marijuana Suppression Unit (MSU) in the Jerusalem Valley area of Middletown Tuesday resulted in a total of 10 felony arrests. According to the LCSO, the operation resulted in the seizure of 296 marijuana plants, 840 pounds of processed marijuana, a semi-automatic assault rifle and more than $6,000 in U.S. currency for asset forfeiture.
Detectives secured a search warrant Oct. 6 for a large-scale, outdoor marijuana cultivation operation on Daly Place in Jerusalem Valley after several large marijuana gardens were observed during an aerial over flight. The MSU executed the warrant on Oct. 11 with the assistance of the LCSO Narcotics Task Force (NTF) and LCSO Special Enforcement Detail (SED).
According to the LCSO, when detectives entered the property, they immediately detained Odalys Angeles Lopez, 47, of Middletown; and Alfredo Eugenio Fernandez, 55, of Castro Valley. Both subjects were located near a dwelling on the property and Fernandez was allegedly found actively processing marijuana at the time.
Detectives located a locked barn on the property, which the LCSO said appeared to be occupied. Upon forcing entry into the barn, detectives located and detained transient Osvaldo Gamalier Negronaponte, 23, and Pablo Andres Garcia Hernandez, 27, of Lower Lake; Rafael Ortiz Chavez, 19, of Middletown; and a 17-year-old transient from Pomona. The barn allegedly contained large quantities of processed marijuana and the four men were allegedly actively processing more marijuana when detectives entered the structure.
LCSO said as search of the property continued, detectives located two large grow sites and a large outdoor marijuana processing “station.” The partially harvested grow sites appeared to be the source of the processed marijuana found inside the barn and at the outdoor processing station, LCSO said.
According to the LCSO, during the search of the Daly Place property, detectives identified another active marijuana cultivation operation on an adjacent property on Jerusalem Valley Grade. Upon further investigation of the second cultivation operation, detectives located a garage that also appeared to be occupied. After announcing their presence, detectives entered the garage and allegedly discovered that it contained several more subjects actively manicuring large amounts of processed marijuana. Those detained were Toribio Raygoza Andrade, 33, of Kelseyville; Alfonso Hernandez Guzman, 26, of Kelseyville; Juan Manuel Raygoza, 25, of Kelseyville; and Efren Medina Andrade, 53, of Kelseyville.
LCSO said while checking the property for additional suspects, detectives located another structure near the garage that also contained another large quantity of processed marijuana. Detectives held the Jerusalem Valley Grade property for several hours while a second search warrant was secured for further investigation.
During a search of the dwelling on Daly Place, detectives allegedly located a semi-automatic SKS assault rifle with a high-capacity detachable magazine concealed beneath a bed. LCSO said in that same bedroom, detectives located a briefcase containing $6,967 in U.S. currency and several documents belonging to Lopez and Fernandez. The assault rifle was seized as a banned weapon in California and the currency was seized as the suspected profits of drug trafficking.
LCSO said when detectives returned with the second search warrant for the property on Jerusalem Grade Road, they located and seized more than 200 marijuana plants and large quantities of processed marijuana from two indoor cultivation operations and another outdoor grow. Some medical marijuana recommendations were found posted among the grow sites on both properties. However, the recommendations were found to be either insufficient for the amount of marijuana located or were not issued to any of the subjects detained on either property, the LCSO said.
A total of 10 felony arrests resulted from the 11-hour warrant execution and eradication operation. Lopez was arrested for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of an assault weapon. Andrade, Hernandez Guzman, Raygoza, Garcia Hernandez, Fernandez, Negronaponte, Chavez, Medina Andrade and the 17-year-old were arrested for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales. All adult arrestees were booked into Lake County Jail and the juvenile was booked into Lake County Juvenile Hall. Immigration holds were additionally placed on Andrade, Garcia Hernandez and Chavez.
