Clealarke >> Police confiscated thousands of marijuana plants during a recent string of crackdowns on alleged illegal commercial cultivation sites.
The Clearlake Police Department (CPD) served search warrants at five separate locations around the city in as many days, according to a press release sent out Thursday afternoon.
With the exception of Sunday, officers conducted searches Saturday through Wednesday. They seized more than 2,660 marijuana plants and arrested six people who all face criminal charges of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale, as well as conspiracy to commit a crime and armed while in commission of a felony.
Saturday
The first bust came after a resident called reporting theft of water at a property in the 15300 block of 36th Avenue. During their investigation, CPD officers found what they believe to be an illegal grow site.
“The property was fenced and used for the sole purpose of marijuana production,” the CPD press release stated.
Police eradicated 607 mature pot plants growing inside and around a hoop-style structure, but made no arrests.
Monday
The CPD continued its enforcement against illegal marijuana grows and served search warrants at two locations.
The first was in the 2700 block of Smith Lane, which resulted in approximately 476 marijuana plants being eradicated and five firearms found.
Consuelo Arroyo-Ramirez, 43, and Arturo Gomora-Hernandez, 47, were arrested and charged with the additional crimes of child endangerment and possession of large-capacity magazine.
During the investigation, CPD detectives also discovered the two subjects owned additional properties in the county which also had alleged illegal commercial marijuana grows. Police seized additional money on scene, pending an asset forfeiture proceedings along with seizure of numerous bank accounts.
Officers arrested Arturo Maldonado, 29, and Brian Maldonado, 22, at the second search location in the 2800 block of Smith Lane. They seized 90 plants and two firearms, according to the media release.
Tuesday
Officer executed a search warrant in the 3800 block of Hemlock Avenue where they reportedly found 629 marijuana plants and two firearms. They arrested Alfredo Casanova, 22, and Pedro Chavarria, 22.
While conducting a search of the property, CPD investigators found illegal insecticides inside the residence.
“These insecticides were illegally transported into California, possibly from Mexico, and there were signs they had been used at the property,” the press release stated.
With assistance of the Lake County Fire Protection District the chemicals were safely collected for safe disposal, according to police. The CPD is working with several local and state agencies for proper criminal charging for possession and usage of illegal insecticides and environmental crimes.
Wednesday
The final day of searches ended with 862 pot plants seized from a property in the 3000 block Old Highway 53. However, no subjects were located at the residence.
Code enforcement also responded to the scene as there was indications that liquid fertilizers were being injected into an irrigation system which was run by a local well, the CPD stated. There were several possible environmental crimes code violations associated with system due to possible contamination of the local groundwater, and the investigation is ongoing.
“The Clearlake Police Department will continue to investigate commercial marijuana grows in the city of Clearlake,” it stated in its release. “Suspects who are caught in the commercial growing of marijuana including, knowingly renting out property for the commercial growing of marijuana could be subject to prosecution for felony crimes as well as environmental crimes.
Information of the medical marijuana permit process can be found online at the city of Clearlake website at http://clearlake.ca.us/.
“Commercial growing of marijuana will not be tolerated and the laws pertaining to cultivation, sales transportation or furnishing will be assertively enforced,” the CPD added.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to call detective Elvis Cook at (707) 994-8251 extension 315.
