Record-Bee Staff
Clearlake >> Law enforcement officers seized more than 1,100 pot plants as Clearlake’s eradication program continued into its third month. Along with plants, police arrested several suspected of involvement in illegal grows during an operation on Wednesday.
Clearlake Police Department (CPD) officers served search warrants on two properties located on Second and Third avenues they allege were involved in the commercial cultivation of marijuana.
“The two grow sites within 50 yards of each other, but are not believed to be connected,” Lt. Tim Celli reported.
One location was in the 16500 block of Second Avenue. There, officers seized 643 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Some of the plants were reportedly near mature with marijuana buds. There was no one found at this location; however, two canines were impounded by Clearlake Animal Control.
A possible suspect later drove by this location and once he saw officers on scene, he sped away in an off-road truck toward areas where the patrol cars were unable to follow, Celli said.
The suspect has not been identified, and the only description was a Hispanic male, between 25 and 30 years old, last seen driving north toward Third Avenue in a late model, lifted Chevy Silverado truck.
CPD officers also served a search warrant in the 16400 block of Third Avenue. At this location, three suspects identified as Timothy Bones, 56, and Thomas Christie, 19, both of Humboldt, as well as Redlands resident Ade Wijaya-Karre, 30, were arrested and face charges of cultivation, possession of marijuana for sale, armed during the commission of a felony and conspiracy.
Both Christie and Wijaya-Karre allegedly admitted they were hired to trim marijuana. At this location, investigators seized 495 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, along with drying marijuana and a 30-gallon container full of marijuana buds, Celli said.
In addition, a loaded handgun and a billy club were also seized from this location.
The three suspects were contacted in a motorhome located on the property.
“An apparent sewer line from the motor home looked as though it was draining into the ground,” Celli said. “It did not appear there were any legal connections.”
Employees from environmental health were contacted; however, a representative was unable to respond during the time officers were on scene. Code enforcement was also requested to scene and will follow up with environmental health for possible additional charges.
Anyone with information regarding either of these grow sites is asked to call CPD detective Elvis Cook at (707) 994 8251 extension 315.
