COBB, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force this week has resulted in one arrest, the seizure of 14 pounds of processed marijuana and $9,501 for asset forfeiture.

On Tuesday, April 24, narcotics detectives responded to an address on Bottle Rock Road in Cobb to investigate a report of trespassers cultivating marijuana on the property, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Brooks said the location was unoccupied but detectives located fencing, soil, abandoned vehicles, garbage and a motor home.

On Thursday, April 26, detectives returned to the location and contacted 49-year-old John Justino Colon and 28-year-old Joshua Vonderhaar, both of Clearlake, Brooks said.

A search for additional suspects revealed several one pound bags of processed marijuana, digital scales and priority U.S. mail packaging materials. Brooks said detectives secured the scene and obtained a search warrant for the property.  

Also on Thursday, at approximately 5 p.m., narcotics detectives served the search warrant. Brooks said during a search of the motor home they located 14 pounds of marijuana and $9,501 in cash, which were seized.

Brooks said it was discovered that Colon was pumping water out of Cole Creek, using a drip line and an electric pump. He was running the water line through a culvert under Bottle Rock Road.  

Colon was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales, trespassing and water diversion. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.  Vonderhaar was released on scene pending a criminal complaint.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.