NICE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force Wednesday morning has resulted in five arrests and the seizure of 475 marijuana plants.
Sgt. Steve Brooks said officials arrested Aviel Islas Hernandez, 42, a transient; 22-year-old Fidel Avellaned Hernandez, a transient; 20-year-old Marco Antonio Martinez of Santa Rosa; William “Billy” Walls, 60, of Ukiah; and Telesforo Montejano Cornejo, 47, of Santa Rosa.
On Tuesday narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for several properties located on Harding Drive in Nice, Brooks said.
On Wednesday at approximately 8 a.m. narcotics detectives served the search warrant on the properties. Brooks said they located three male adults – Fidel Hernandez, Avellaned Hernandez and Martinez – inside a complex of marijuana grows, according to Brooks. All three subjects were detained without incident.
During the course of the investigation, narcotics detectives located and eradicated 475 marijuana plants located in several different plots, which were all connected together by a trail system, Brooks said.
Evidence collected at the scene revealed that the marijuana growing at the scene was not in compliance with Proposition 215. Brooks said the investigation also revealed that the suspects were killing birds they claimed were damaging their marijuana plants and dumping human waste in seasonal creek beds.
Detectives arrested Martinez, Fidel Hernandez and Aviel Hernandez for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales, Brooks said.
He said one of the subjects arrested provided information that “Billy” was responsible for the marijuana grow sites but was unable to provide any additional information regarding “Billy.”
While narcotic detectives were on scene, two additional subjects arrived at the location – Walls and Cornejo. Brooks said both subjects were detained without incident.
The investigation revealed that both Walls and Cornejo were part of the illegal marijuana growing operation. Brooks said Walls admitted that some of the plants at the grow site were his. He also admitted to selling marijuana to dispensaries.
Detectives arrested Walls and Cornejo for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales, Brooks said. All five suspects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and Booked.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.