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One arrested, more than 17,000 marijuana plants seized near Middletown
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The investigation of a report of trespassing and water theft has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 17,236 marijuana plants.
During the operation 28-year-old Alejandro Carrada-Cholula of Windsor was arrested, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Brooks said that on Wednesday, May 29, a patrol deputy responded to the 20000 block of Nicholas Way in Middletown, where the property owner explained he owns approximately 20 acres and there are two empty buildings on the property.
One of the buildings contained a pump which was attached to the well. Neither of the buildings was used as a residence, Brooks said.
The owner explained he had gone to the property earlier in the day to check on it and discovered a generator was attached to his well pump, Brooks said. The man believed someone was stealing his water and possibly growing marijuana, due to the remote location.
The deputy conducted an investigation and located the generator which was still attached to the water pump. He also noticed what appeared to be fresh tire tracks in the dirt, next to the pump house, Brooks said.
The deputy followed the tracks through the dense brush and located a marijuana grow containing 356 plants in different stages of growth. Brooks said the deputy was unable to locate anyone in the grow, but found evidence that the growers had recently tended to the plants. He was unable to locate any evidence which would assist in identifying the suspect, or suspects, and eradicated the plants.
On Saturday, June 15, a deputy responded to the same address for another report of trespassing, Brooks said.
At that time, the deputy located Carrada-Cholula and took him into custody. Brooks said Carrada admitted being responsible for the marijuana grow that was eradicated on May 29.
Brooks said the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force responded to the area and located another 16,880 marijuana plants in two additional areas, which they eradicated.
During the interview with deputies, Carrada said he paid a male subject $12,000 to use the property for marijuana cultivation and did not know it was owned by someone else, Brooks said.
Carrada also said he knew a law enforcement officer had cut some of his plants down a couple of weeks ago. Brooks said Carrada told detectives that he was selling the processed marijuana for $1,000 a pound.
Carrada was arrested for the cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, with bail set at $15,000. Jail records indicated he posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.