CLEARLAKE >> Although her story allegedly changed with each telling and she could not produce key items, Clearlake police still managed to locate enough firm evidence to arrest Maria Cano and clear 144 marijuana plants on Friday.
The incident began with officers responding to a report that someone in the 15500 block of Sharpe Lane was brandishing a shotgun. When police arrived at the scene they contacted Cano, who owned the property.
Initially Cano denied waving a weapon in the direction of the caller. Shortly afterward she told investigators that she had indeed presented a weapon, but it was not a real shotgun.
The caller, who was unharmed, informed officers the incident was related to a marijuana grow on Cano’s property.
While officers interviewed Cano, two adult males rushed from a large metal building and fled into a wooded area nearby. Although unable to catch up with the two suspects, officers did notice two large grows. According to a report by CPD Sgt Rodd Joseph, these had been partially harvested.
“Cano claimed one of the grows belonged to her, but the other one belonged to another person who did not live there,” Joseph said in a press statement. “Cano made other statements to the investigating officers which led officers to believe this was a commercial grow site.”
Cano allegedly told officers she held a medical marijuana recommendation. She did not produce confirming paperwork, however. Nor could she show officers a replica weapon.
Police detained Cano and another Clearlake resident, Erick Guzman. According to Joseph, Guzman informed police he was involved in the harvest.
After obtaining a search warrant, officers seized 144 plants and 3 pounds of processed marijuana from the property.
“Most of the marijuana plants were so large City of Clearlake Public Works had to be called out so officers could use a large dump trailer to haul all the plants from the scene,” Joseph said.
Both Cano and Guzman were booked on suspicion of cultivation. Cano faces an additional charge of possession for sale.
Charges are pending referral to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
