Deputies arrest men involved in illegal marijuana growing, seize weapons and hundreds of plants
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two men were arrested this week, and hundreds of marijuana plants and a stash of weapons were seized during a search warrant service in the south county.
Pedro Landa-Alvarez, 40, of Lower Lake and Jose Trinidad Carrillo-Gonzalez, 44, of Clearlake were arrested at a location in Lower Lake while harvesting marijuana, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
On Friday, Sept. 21, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 13000 block of Spruce Grove Road in Lower Lake related to illegal marijuana cultivation, Paulich said.
During the service, detectives located a total of 271 mature marijuana plants being cultivated outdoors and inside a greenhouse. Paulich said no suspects were located on site, but during eradication, detectives observed the plants were possibly contaminated with a dangerous illegal insecticide.
After conducting a further search of the cultivation site, detectives located a product label for a dangerous toxic substance known as “Carbofuran.” This substance is manufactured in Mexico and is illegal in the United States, Paulich said.
While on site, Paulich said detectives learned the subject responsible for the operation was Landa-Alvarez.
On Monday, Sept. 24, detectives served a search warrant at a residence for Landa-Alvarez in the 18000 block of Horseshoe Road in Hidden Valley Lake. Paulich said that during this search, detectives located evidence of marijuana cultivation and sales.
Detectives located a total of $10,000 of US currency and a 2017 Chevrolet 2500 truck which was determined to be proceeds of illegal marijuana sales and subsequently seized. Paulich said detectives located additional evidence which led to a search warrant service at a residence in the 19000 block of Mountain Meadow South in Hidden Valley Lake, which had been completely transformed to cultivate marijuana indoors.
Paulich said a total of 537 marijuana plants were located and eradicated from this residence which was only being used to cultivate marijuana.
Detectives also learned of another associated property and obtained a search warrant for the location in the 14000 block of Spruce Grove Road in Lower Lake. Paulich said that during this search, detectives located Landa-Alvarez and a second Hispanic male identified as Carrillo-Gonzalez.
Both men were actively harvesting and processing marijuana from a large indoor grow at this location. During the search of the property, Paulich said detectives located three loaded 1911 semi-automatic pistols, a loaded AR-15 style assault rifle and several additional hunting style rifles.
Approximately 400 pounds of bulk processed marijuana was located and seized from the property. Paulich said Landa-Alvarez was also in possession of over $9,000 in US currency which was also seized as illegal proceeds.
Both Landa-Alvarez and Carrillo Gonzalez were placed under arrest for violations of cultivation of marijuana while using a hazardous substance, being armed while committing a felony, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of marijuana for sale and possession of an assault weapon, Paulich said.
Paulich said both subjects were later booked into custody at the Lake County Jail where they were later released after posting bail.