LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested three men this week following an investigation into illegal marijuana cultivation in the Cobb area that also led to the seizure of weapons, cash and illegal pesticides.

Salvador Martinez, 34, of Cobb, along with Leonardo Martinez-Franco, 18, and Leonardo Martinez-Campos, 48, both of Kelseyville, were arrested on Wednesday, according to a sheriff’s office report.

During August, the sheriff's office conducted aerial surveillance that led to the discovery of an illegal outdoor marijuana cultivation site in the middle of a seasonal stream that drains directly into Kelsey Creek. The site was located in the 15000 block of Bottle Rock Road in Cobb.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the property was owned by Martinez.

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, detectives served a search warrant at the property, where Martinez was immediately located and detained, the sheriff’s office reported.

During the search, the agency said its detectives discovered three firearms, $20,000 in cash and over 100 large marijuana plants growing in the middle of a natural drainage area that feeds into Kelsey Creek.

Authorities said the creek is home to a small population of rainbow trout and serves as a breeding ground for the endangered Clear Lake hitch.

While deputies were executing the search warrant, Martinez-Franco and Martinez-Campos arrived at the property to tend to the marijuana plants, authorities said.

All three individuals were arrested and transported to the Hill Road Correctional Facility on charges related to felony marijuana cultivation with environmental crimes and possession of marijuana for sale, the sheriff’s office reported.

The sheriff’s office said its detectives subsequently obtained a second search warrant for the residence of Martinez-Franco and Martinez-Campos, located in the 5000 block of Cold Creek Drive in Kelseyville.

During the search of the residence, authorities said detectives uncovered an AR-style rifle with no serial number — commonly referred to as a "ghost gun" — along with 35 pounds of processed and packaged marijuana buds, 89 additional marijuana plants, and 13 bottles of pesticides manufactured in Mexico that are banned in the United States due to their toxicity to fish, wildlife and humans.

Additionally, three bottles of highly regulated pesticides were discovered on the property, the sheriff’s office reported.

The sheriff’s office said this is an ongoing investigation.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information to contact the Narcotics Task Force Tip Line at 707-263-3663.