UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in three arrests and the seizure of marijuana, firearms and $1,080 for asset forfeiture.
Amber Katharine Johnson, 40, of Upper Lake; Jesus Chavez, 37, of Sebastopol; and 37-year-old Melissa Nicole Johnson of Upper Lake were arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 7, for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for the property and structures located in the 1200 block of Mahoney Drive in Upper Lake, according to Brooks.
The following day at approximately 12:20 p.m. detectives served the warrant at the Mahoney Drive property, Brooks said.
When narcotics detectives entered the property, they detained five people without incident. In addition to Amber Johnson and Nicole Johnson, and Jesus Chavez, Brooks said they detained 64-year-old Norman Lake Johnson and 27-year-old Andrew Francisco Clelland, both of Upper Lake.
During a search of the property, detectives located and seized 400 large marijuana plants growing outdoors, Brooks said.
Brooks said in one of the structures detectives located and seized nine firearms. One of the firearms had a high capacity 30 round magazine, which also was seized. Narcotics detectives also located and seized $1,080 in US currency for asset forfeiture.
Amber Johnson, Jesus Chavez and Melissa Johnson were arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.
Narcotics detectives are submitting a criminal complaint on Norman Johnson for possession of marijuana for sales, the cultivation of marijuana and possession of a firearm while committing a drug offense, and one for Clelland for the cultivation of marijuana, Brooks said.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.