Pubdate: Tue, 29 Sep 2009
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2009 The Ukiah Daily Journal
Contact: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/feedback
Website: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/581
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.
Author: Tiffany Revelle, The Daily Journal
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)

38 ARRESTED IN POT BUST

They Hail From Coast to Coast and Beyond

A three-day marijuana bust netted 38 arrests last week on private 
properties in the northern areas of Mendocino County, as far north as 
Bell Springs and as far south as Dos Rios Road in Laytonville, the 
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office revealed Monday.

The MCSO led the multi-agency raids, serving 12 search warrants and 
seizing 53,270 plants, 336 pounds of processed marijuana, 14 firearms 
and $12,980 in cash.

Lt. Rusty Noe estimated the street value of the seized plants was "in 
excess of $1 million."

"Last week was a culmination of what was probably months-long 
investigation," Sheriff Tom Allman said in a Monday telephone press conference.

A four-inch pipe found pumping water out of the Eel River on Island 
Mountain led authorities to do a fly-over of the area and discover a 
552-plant grow on a 120-acre parcel, according to Allman.

He said there was no word for it but "obscene."

All of the seizures happened on private property, but Allman said 
search warrants weren't needed in "open field" searches where no 
structure was attached to the land.

Agents from the state Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Campaign 
Against Marijuana Planting, federal Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, state parole and county 
probation aided in the operation.

Allman said the cost of the operation wasn't yet known, but between 
40 and 55 agents worked on the investigation each of the three days.

Noe, Advertisement who prepared the Monday press release, said the 
charges would likely be sent to the Mendocino County District 
Attorney's office Monday.

Allman said of the 38 people arrested, nine had posted bail.

The 38 people arrested on suspicion of cultivation and possession of 
marijuana for sale are:

[redacted] 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake