- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
Task force seizes cache of firearms and drugs, arrests six
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of several search warrants by the Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in six arrests and the seizure of assault weapons, marijuana and methamphetamine.
Lt. Steve Brooks said that on Thursday, Sept. 12, narcotics detectives secured several search warrants for properties and residences in the Rocky Creek area of Lower Lake. These search warrants targeted large scale marijuana cultivation and distribution operations.
On the following day – Friday, Sept. 13 – narcotics detectives served the first warrant, which was for the person, home and property of 40-year-old Jeffrey William Dumas of Lower Lake, Brooks said. The property is located in the 9800 block of Rocky Creek Road in Lower Lake.
Brooks said Dumas refused to comply with orders to exit his residence and attempted to fight with the detectives as they took him into custody.
During the search, detectives located 4 grams of methamphetamine inside Dumas’ residence and 950 marijuana plants, which were growing outside, Brooks said.
They also located and detained 27-year-old Frederico Reyes of Merced, 27-year-old Juan Carlos Lua of Indio and Javier Yanez Lua, 45, of Oxnard, according to Brooks.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Reyes, Juan Lua and Javier Lua were being paid to assist Dumas with the cultivation of his marijuana, Brooks said.
Brooks said Dumas was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sales, possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Reyes was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Both Juan and Javier Lua also were arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. They were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
Also on Sept. 13, narcotics detectives served the second search warrant, which was for parcels of property located on Rocky Creek Road, Brooks said.
The parcels are owned by both 56-year-old Pedro Anguiano Favela of Clearlake and 42-year-old Arnoldo Anguiano Favela of Spring Valley. Brooks said that during the search, detectives located and eradicated 132 mature marijuana plants. Neither of the men were located on the property.
That same day additional search warrants were served in the same general area of Rocky Creek Road in Lower Lake. Approximately 500 marijuana plants were located and eradicated from vacant land parcels, Brooks said.
This past Tuesday, Sept. 17, narcotics detectives completed the service of a search warrant regarding both Pedro and Arnoldo Favela at two different locations. Pedro Favela was located at a residence in Clearlake.
During the search detectives located 52 marijuana plants he was cultivating, which were seized. Arnoldo Favela was located at a Middletown address where he was cultivating an additional 30 marijuana plants, which were seized. He was also in possession of four pounds of processed marijuana, which was also seized, Brooks said.
Brooks said that during the search of properties owned and or controlled by Pedro and Arnoldo Favela, 26 firearms were located and seized.
Included in the seized firearms were three AK-47 assault weapons, three AR-15 assault rifles, one AR-15 assault pistol, one Uzi assault weapon, two Mini-14 assault rifles, one Thompson assault rifle, two .30 carbines, one Russian 308 assault rifle and four handguns. Brooks said the balance of firearms consisted of assorted shotguns and rifles.
Brooks said Arnoldo Favela was arrested for possession of an assault weapon, armed while committing a drug offense, the cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales. Pedro Favela was arrested for being armed in the commission of a felony, possession for sales of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.