LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 230 pounds of processed marijuana.
Detectives arrested Melissa Cowart Pope, 58, of Lower Lake following the search warrant service, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Pope, her home and vehicle. This past Wednesday, at approximately 10:30 a.m., detectives served the warrant at Pope’s residence, which is located in the 16000 block of Big Bear Road in Lower Lake, Brooks said.
Brooks said the search warrant was related to interstate marijuana trafficking to Florida.
Brooks said that over the past two years, detectives in St. Petersburg, Fla., have been investigating Melissa Pope and her husband Barry Pope.
The St. Petersburg detectives learned that Melissa Pope was shipping marijuana and marijuana-related food products to her husband in Florida through the United States Postal Service. Brooks said the detectives in Florida had intercepted several packages containing marijuana and subsequently arrested Barry Pope.
When the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force entered the residence, Melissa Pope was located and detained without incident, Brooks said.
During a search of the residence detectives located approximately 230 pounds of processed marijuana, which was seized. Brooks said the marijuana was located inside several large plastic containers.
He said detectives also located and seized two loaded firearms, shipping containers and a digital scale.
Evidence located during the search confirmed Melissa Pope was still actively trafficking marijuana out of California for profit, Brooks said.
Melissa Pope was arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and being armed in the commission of a felony. She was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. She later posted bail and was released, according to jail records.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.