- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
Detectives eradicate 3,277 marijuana plants, arrest two Lower Lake men
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The service of two search warrants last week resulted in two arrests, the eradication of 3,277 marijuana plants and the seizure of two firearms.
Detectives arrested 30-year-old Nestor Alejandro Rodriguez-Gonzalez and Miguel Angel Vargas, 25, both of Lower Lake, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
Last Friday, May 9, narcotics detectives secured two search warrants for neighboring properties located in the 12000 block of Riata Road in Lower Lake, serving the warrants just before 3:30 p.m. that same day, Brooks said.
Brooks said detectives entered the first property and were unable to locate anyone inside the residence or on the property itself.
During a search of the residence, detectives located 920 marijuana plants growing in one of the bedrooms, Brooks said. The bedroom had been completely transformed to house an indoor marijuana cultivation operation.
Inside a closet, detectives located 2 pounds of processed marijuana. Brooks said detectives searched the master bedroom and located a digital scale, growing supplies and a Browning 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol.
During a search of the property, detectives located 80 marijuana plants growing near the residence. Several of these plants were at full maturity in a light deprivation style setup. Inside a greenhouse 254 marijuana plants were located, Brooks said.
Detectives searched the property and located 1,380 marijuana plants, which were growing outside. A total of 2,634 marijuana plants were located and eradicated from the property, Brooks said. The 2 pounds of processed marijuana and the firearm were seized as evidence.
Brooks said detectives responded to the second property, located next door, and served the search warrant. On the property were two fifth wheel travel trailers and four green houses. Detectives were unable to locate anyone at the property.
During the search detectives located a 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition and 129 marijuana plants in one of the trailers. Brooks said the marijuana was eradicated and the firearm and ammunition was seized as evidence.
Detectives located and eradicated 492 marijuana plants from inside the four green houses. During a search of the outside property, detectives located and eradicated an additional 22 marijuana plants. These plants were located sporadically throughout the property. A total of 643 marijuana plants were eradicated from this location, according to Brooks.
Just prior to departing the location, detectives noticed a white sedan occupied by two Hispanic male adults approaching the parcel of property. As the vehicle drove past, a detective noticed that the driver had an open beer bottle between his legs, Brooks said.
Both subjects were detained at the location. Brooks said the driver was identified as Rodriguez-Gonzalez and the passenger was identified as Miguel Angel Vargas.
Detectives located evidence which linked both Rodriguez-Gonzalez and Vargas to the grow sites. Brooks said they were both arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and for being armed in the commission of a felony.
They were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
Both men remained in custody on Monday. Rodriguez-Gonzalez was being held on an immigration hold and Vargas' bail was set at $15,000.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.