LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two Kelseyville men have been arrested as the result of a narcotics investigation that began because of an out-of-state traffic stop.
Robert Baratz, 53, was arrested on Aug. 17 and 47-year-old Greg Andrew Gordon was arrested on Wednesday, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Along with the arrests, the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force seized 261 marijuana plants and $44,741, Brooks said.
On Aug. 15 narcotics detectives were contacted by a special agent from the Utah Bureau of Investigations who reported that a Utah state trooper had conducted a vehicle stop and seized 35 pounds of processed marijuana, Brooks said.
During the Utah trooper’s investigation, the driver of the vehicle admitted to receiving processed marijuana on at least five different occasions from a “friend” in Lake County, according to Brooks. The driver would then transport the marijuana to Milwaukee, Wis.
Utah investigators located evidence with the marijuana that identified Gordon as the possible origin of the marijuana, Brooks reported.
Based on that information, on Aug. 15 narcotics detectives conducted surveillance at Gordon’s residence and noticed a large green house which contained numerous growing marijuana plants, Brooks said.
Brooks said that on Aug. 16 detectives secured a search warrant for Gordon’s person, home and vehiclen. On Aug. 17 at approximately 8:48 a.m. narcotics detectives served the warrant at Gordon’s home, which is located on Kelsey Creek Drive in Kelseyville.
When narcotics detectives entered the property, they contacted Baratz, who Brook said was detained without incident. Baratz said he was living on the property and tending the marijuana plants for Gordon, who was not home. Baratz said Gordon had traveled to Wisconsin with a friend.
During a search of the home, detectives located and seized more than three pounds of processed marijuana and 261 marijuana plants, Brooks said.
Detectives also located $44,741 inside a safe in the master bedroom, which was seized for asset forfeiture. In addition, Brooks said detectives located indicia showing that Gordon was shipping marijuana outside the state of California for sale.
Brooks said Baratz was arrested the cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and the possession of a deadly weapon. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, with bail set at $15,000. Jail records indicated he later was released from custody.
On Aug. 29, narcotics detectives obtained a warrant of arrest for Gordon. On Wednesday detectives arrested Gordon on the arrest warrant, Brooks said.
Gordon was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, with bail set at $15,000. Jail records indicated he later was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.