LOWER LAKE — Two men allegedly growing marijuana for a Los Angeles area collective were arrested and 158 plants eradicated following a medical marijuana cultivation compliance check of two Lower Lake grow sites.
Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Narcotics Task Force personnel, along with Lake County Code Enforcement officials and an officer with the California Department of Fish and Game conducted the compliance check on Cantwell Ranch Road at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 2.
LCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Steve Brooks said detectives contacted Frank Phillip Frazza, 23, and Thomas Jameson Whyte, 24, both of Kelseyville, upon arrival. Brooks said Frazza and Whyte have adjoining properties with no permitted structures on Cantwell Ranch Road.
Both men reportedly stated they grew marijuana for a collective in Los Angeles and had numerous medical recommendations, though neither Frazza nor Whyte knew any of the people listed on the recommendations, according to Brooks.
Frazza allegedly grew 73 marijuana plants outside on his property and Whyte allegedly grew 85 plants outside on his property, Brooks said. Whyte reportedly had a large green house on the property that was unpermitted.
Brooks said both grow sites were determined to be in violation of the county”s interim medical marijuana cultivation ordinance and all of the marijuana plants were eradicated.
Frazza and Whyte were arrested on charges of cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. They were transported and booked into the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Anyone with information that can assist the Narcotics Task Force can call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663.
