KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last Friday resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 762 marijuana plants, 140 pounds of processed marijuana and two firearms.
Virginio Nunez Espinoza, 54, of Kelseyville was arrested as a result of the search warrant service, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
On Friday, Aug. 16, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant on a parcel of property located in the 9500 block of Adobe Creek Drive in Kelseyville. Brooks said the property was described as being a rural, vacant parcel located along the top of a mountain ridge.
At 3 p.m. that day, detectives served the search warrant, Brooks said.
As they entered the property, detectives noticed a large quantity of marijuana plants within a fenced enclosure. Brooks said they also saw two male subjects sitting outside of a travel trailer, located approximately 30 yards uphill from the outdoor cultivation site.
One of the subjects fled on foot into the brush. The other subject was detained and later identified by his Mexico identification card as Espinoza, according to Brooks.
During the search, detectives located 720 marijuana plants inside an elaborate light deprivation grow structure, according to Brooks.
Brooks said the structure was equipped with high-powered fans and a large black curtain that, when drawn, would cover the top and sides of the structure. This manipulates the amount of sunlight received by the plants and stimulates the plant to flower.
Narcotics detectives located 42 additional marijuana plants in an outdoor cultivation site, Brooks said.
Inside a structure located on the property, detectives found what appeared to be a large scale processing area. Brooks said they located six large plastic containers which contained a total of 140 pounds of processed marijuana.
Detectives also located two loaded shotguns during the search. All of the marijuana and the firearms were seized as evidence, Brooks said.
Espinoza told detectives he was being paid $10 per hour to cultivate and process the marijuana. Brooks said Espinoza stated that he was unable to provide any information as to who was paying him, or who he was working with in the operation.
He denied having a medical recommendation to grow or use marijuana and told detectives that he thought it was legal, because it is legal to grow it in Mexico, Brooks said.
Espinoza was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales, the cultivation of marijuana and being armed while committing a drug offense. Brooks said Espinoza was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, with bail set at $65,000.
Jail records indicated Espinoza later posted the required portion of bail and was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.