Full Notification

Public Information Release
April 10, 2014
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


The investigation into an illegal marijuana cultivation site has resulted in two arrests, the seizure of 275 marijuana plants and a firearm.

On April 9, 2014 at approximately 10:30 am, members of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force were asked to assist Lake County Code Enforcement with a possible illegal marijuana grow site. Code Enforcement Officers said they had located a hoop style green house containing marijuana plants on a parcel of property in Lower Lake. Detectives responded to the property which was located in the 15000 block of Joseph Trail in Lower Lake.

As detectives approached they could clearly see at least 100 growing marijuana plants inside the green house. They contacted two subjects on the property who were identified as 23 year old Antonio Hernandez-Lemus and 50 year old Sylviano Fuentes both of Santa Rosa. Detectives explained why they were there and it was illegal for them to cultivate marijuana on a vacant land parcel. Hernandez said the marijuana was not theirs and he was just assisting with the grow site. Detectives said the property appeared to be used solely for the purpose of cultivating marijuana.

Detectives said there were no structures on the property, but there was a travel trailer. Due to the fact that marijuana grow sites are frequently occupied by several people, Detectives conducted a protective sweep of the travel trailer. They located a shotgun sitting on the bed with several shotgun shells.

Detectives entered the greenhouse and located 275 growing marijuana plants. The plants were approximately three feet in height and were in the vegetative state. The vegetative state is the stage in a flowering plant’s life cycle before the appearance of its fruiting structures. Detectives said the greenhouse was covered in a clear plastic and had a large black tarp next to the structure. These types of greenhouses are commonly used for light deprivation which is used to control the amount of sunlight the plants receive and control flowering. Posted on the greenhouse were two medical marijuana recommendations. The recommendations were for two people who were not at the property.

Based on the amount of marijuana plants located and the shotgun found in the travel trailer, detectives secured the scene and wrote a search warrant for the property. Once the search warrant was signed, detectives eradicated the 275 marijuana plants and seized the shotgun as evidence.

Antonio Hernandez-Lemus was arrested for cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Sylviano Fuentes was arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and for being armed in the commission of a felony. Both subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate narcotics from the communities of Lake County and seize the suspected profits of drug trafficking for the asset forfeiture whenever possible. Anyone with information that can assist the Task Force with this effort is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663.