CLEARLAKE >> Clearlake police seized 2,293 marijuana plants from two properties on Thursday morning. During the investigations, officers also arrested two men suspected of involvement in the grow operations.
This brings the approximate number of plants eradicated by the department in the month of April to almost 13,500 after a successful series of investigations.
On April 7, officers confiscated 3,000 plants while serving warrants on two connected grow locations. A noise complaint in the late hours of April 13 led the the seizure of another 1,000 plants. After an operation on April 19 collected 359 plants, the Clearlake Police Department found and extensive grow facility and came away with 6,800 more.
On Thursday morning CPD officers served warrants on properties believed to be connected. While searching a pair of homes in the 3900 block of Laddell, they located 1,100 plans. In addition, officers confiscated 30 pounds of processed marijuana and trimmings that appeared were going to be used for a possible extraction process to make concentrated cannabis, although according to Lt. Tim Celli there were some components missing.
Most of the house on Laddell was converted for the indoor growing of marijuana. In a press statement Celli said there was marijuana located throughout most of the living quarters that were in various stages of growth.
The marijuana plants inside the Laddell residence were already in bloom and had marijuana buds on them. In addition, there was hundreds of marijuana plants planted in the ground in the backyard.
Investigators determined the operation was fueled by an illegal electrical connection that bypassed the electrical meter.
A male suspect identified as Bradley Stagg was arrested for cultivation possession of marijuana for sale and theft of utilities.
Officers also approached a pair of properties in the 3900 block of Manchester Avenue. At those locations, Officers seized 1193 marijuana plants in various stages of growth.
There was an indoor growing operation at the Manchester location as well, however it appeared as though many marijuana plants had been moved to another unknown location.
According to Celli there was evidence to suggest that there had been more of an indoor growing operation at this location at some point.
Located on an adjacent fenced in property, that could only be accessed from the residence property were marijuana plants in various stages of growth. There were marijuana plants in the open and also in a “hoop house.”
A male suspect taken into custody provided the name of Jose Zuniga, but authorities had yet to determine by press time if this is his actual name.
Both residence locations were red tagged by Code Enforcement due to dangerous mold issues as well as other code enforcement issues.
Anyone with information related to these commercial marijuana growing operations should contact Detective Cook.
The City of Clearlake’s permit process is only open until May 2. Celli reported that anyone desiring to grow medical marijuana should obtain a permit at Clearlake City Hall immediately or risk code violations and civil penalties through Code Enforcement.
