LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force this week located and eradicated approximately 38,695 marijuana plants from multiple south county locations.
On Tuesday narcotics detectives eradicated 35,155 marijuana plants, which were growing in two large corn fields. The corn fields were located off of Spruce Grove Road in Lower Lake, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
Brooks said detectives also located five marijuana grow sites in the Jerusalem Valley area, where they eradicated 325 marijuana plants. The grow sites were on vacant land parcels which were absent dwellings or structures. Detectives searched the grow sites and were unable to locate any suspects, witnesses or additional evidence.
On Wednesday, narcotics detectives eradicated 3,215 marijuana plants from 25 separate grow sites. The majority of the grow sites were vacant land parcels, which were located in the Rocky Creek and Morgan Valley area of Lower Lake, Brooks said.
One of the marijuana grow sites was located in the 10000 block of Sky High Ridge in Lower Lake. Brooks said the site had an unpermitted structure on the parcel.
He said detectives noticed that the front half of the structure was being used as a honey oil lab, which was in plain view. The back half of the structure which appeared to be used as sleeping quarters contained an SKS rifle and a .22 caliber rifle, which were seized as evidence. Detectives also located two handguns which were also seized as evidence.
During the investigation, 45-year-old Paul Mozal of Boulder, Colo., arrived at the grow site. Mozal denied being involved with the honey oil lab, but admitted to growing marijuana plants on the property, according to Brooks.
Brooks said detectives are submitting the report for complaint against Mozal.
The majority of the grow sites were identified during prior overflight missions. The purpose of the overflights is to seek out probable illicit marijuana growing operations, Brooks said.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.