LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of two search warrants by the Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force on Wednesday resulted in two arrests and the seizure of marijuana and firearms.
Nathan Paul Southern, 42, of Hidden Valley Lake and Miles Leon Barrett, 61, of Clearlake Park were arrested as a result of the search warrant service and subsequent findings of drugs and weapons, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
On Tuesday narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for a residence and property located in the 11000 block of Patterson Drive in Clearlake Park, Brooks said. The following day, at approximately 10 a.m., detectives served the warrant at the residence.
Brooks said they contacted and detained Barrett and Nathan Southern, along with Petra Deaver, 49, of Clearlake Oaks and 42-year-old Julie Patrice Southern of Hidden Valley Lake without incident.
While conducting a search, narcotics detectives located what was described as a large, sophisticated, indoor marijuana growing operation. Brooks said the interior of the residence along with the attached two car garage had been converted into cultivation sites.
Detectives located 347 growing marijuana plants which were at different stages of maturity. A large quantity of processed was also located inside the residence, Brooks said.
The investigation led detectives to secure another search warrant for a residence and property located in the 17000 block of Knollview Drive in Hidden Valley Lake, according to Brooks.
At 1 p.m. Wednesday narcotics detectives served the warrant at the residence. While conducting a search, detectives located another indoor marijuana growing operation, Brooks said.
He said the attached two car garage and exterior porch were being used as cultivation sites for 72 marijuana plants. Numerous firearms, concentrated marijuana and processed marijuana were located inside the home.
Brooks said Nathan Southern was arrested for felony cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales and being armed in the commission of a felony. Miles Barrett was arrested for felony cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales.
He said both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Bail for each was set at $15,000, and both later posted the necessary percentage of bail and were released, according to jail records.
Brooks said Julie Southern and Petra Deaver were released from the scene, however, the report will be submitted to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for review and complaint against both Southern and Deaver.
Anyone with information that can assist the task force is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.