HOPLAND >> Law enforcement officers from three departments broke up a suspected drug trafficking ring operating out of Santa Rosa this week. In the process, they encountered and arrested three suspects wielding semi-automatic weapons.
On Monday detectives from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit were joined by agents from the Bureau of Land Management and detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to serve a warrant on properties in Santa Rosa and hidden in the hillsides along Highway 175 between Lakeport and Hopland.
According to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Corey Paulich, the cultivation site was discovered near the Lake and Mendocino County line. As detectives entered the area, the were approached by a Hispanic male armed with a semi-automatic pistol. Detectives challenged him and he attempted to flee.
A Bureau of Land Management K9 was used to chase down the suspect, later identified as Rogelio Perez Sanchez, 27 of Santa Rosa.
As Detectives continued to walk through the cultivation site, three additional suspects, Jose Ramirez Remigio, 27, of Santa Rosa, Gustavo Ramirez, 23, of Santa Rosa and Rigoberto Gonzales Hernandez, 18, of Santa Rosa were detained.
“Each suspect was in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol,” Paulich said in a prepared statement.
The cultivation site reportedly contained a total of approximately 3,000 mature marijuana plants, which were seized and eradicated.
“The suspects had dammed up a natural spring in several locations and were illegally diverting the water approximately a half mile to the cultivation site,” Paulich explained. “Several pesticides were located within the site and potential environmental damage and impact is being assessed.”
In Santa Rosa, detectives executed a warrant search of a home in the 900 block of Todd Road. They located items related to the suspects, as well as processed marijuana.
Jose Ramirez, Gustavo Ramirez, and Rigoberto Hernandez were booked into the Lake County Jail on felony violations related to the cultivation of marijuana and carrying arms while committing a felony. All three had bail set at $15,000.
Hernandez posted bail and was released while Gustavo and Jose Ramirez remain in custody.
Sanchez was transported to a local medical facility for injuries sustained by the K9 during his apprehension. He was later released from custody to allow for medical treatment.
“The Sheriff’s Office will be forwarding a report to the District Attorney’s Office requesting charges be filed against Sanchez,” Paulich said.
