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Code Enforcement case leads to two arrests, marijuana seizure
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Narcotics detectives arrested two Middletown men and eradicated 1,304 marijuana plants last week while assisting Lake County Code Enforcement at a south county property.
Aaron Monroe Lentz and Andrew Peter Diehl, both age 31 and from Middletown, were arrested on Friday, May 2, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
Just after 3 p.m. May 2 narcotics detectives responded to a parcel of property located in the 12000 block of Dry Creek Road in Middletown, where they were to assist Lake County Code Enforcement with a possible illegal marijuana cultivation site, Brooks said.
Brooks said Code Enforcement officials advised the sheriff's office that they had located several hoop-style greenhouses on the property while inspecting several unpermitted structures. The property was listed as a vacant parcel in county records.
As detectives approached the locked easement gate to access the property, they contacted Lentz. Brooks said a Code Enforcement officer told the detectives that he believed Lentz was the owner of the property in question.
The detective told Lentz that he was with Code Enforcement to inspect some greenhouses that were possibly on his property. Lentz admitted that he had some greenhouses on the property. When asked what was inside the green houses, Lentz would not answer the detective, Brooks said.
Brooks said the detective asked him how many marijuana plants were growing on the property and Lentz replied that he wanted to speak with his lawyer.
Detectives entered the property and noticed multiple hoop-style greenhouses, which had been described by Code Enforcement. As they walked up to the greenhouses they could smell a very strong odor of marijuana, Brooks said.
One of the greenhouses was open at one end and detectives could see multiple marijuana plants growing inside, Brooks said. While checking the property, detectives located Diehl, who appeared to be working on a watering system for the greenhouses.
The detectives explained why they were on the property and asked Diehl if he lived there. Diehl said he did not want to answer any questions and requested to speak with his lawyer, according to Brooks.
Based on the amount of marijuana plants located, Brooks said detectives decided to secure the property and apply for a search warrant, which they obtained.
During the service of the search warrant detectives located a total of five greenhouses on the property. Brooks said the greenhouses contained a total of 1,304 marijuana plants, which were eradicated.
Inside one of the unpermitted structures, $2,492 was located in a bedroom. Brooks said the money was seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings. Detectives located 15 ounces of processed marijuana in the refrigerator which was seized as evidence.
Both Lentz and Diehl were arrested for the cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Brooks said they were both transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
Lentz had $538 in his possession which Brooks said also was seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.