LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Lake County Sheriff's Office issued a detailed report on the search warrant service last week that led to the arrest of a former Lakeport Police officer on allegations of drugs, weapons and stolen property possession.

Richard Edward Erickson, 60, was arrested last Friday morning by Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force members who also seized marijuana, stolen property, US currency, firearms and several vehicles, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

Erickson was terminated from his job at Lakeport Police in 2006 and arrested shortly thereafter on charges of felony misappropriation of government funds and embezzlement of government funds or property, as Lake County News has reported.

He was accused of using department equipment for personal use, including during an affair with an 18-year-old woman who he later was charged with stalking and threatening.

A jury acquitted him of the criminal charges in May 2007, according to court records.

Since then he's been involved in other businesses, including A-1 Alarm and Lock and Envy Tanning Salon in Lakeport, and Reflections of Avalon in Ukiah, Brooks said.

Last Thursday, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Erickson's person, residence and three businesses businesses, with the warrant served at all four locations simultaneously at 8 a.m. Friday, Brooks said.

Narcotics detectives searched Erickson’s residence, which is located in the 4000 block of Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport. During the search, detectives located more than 80 marijuana plants in two separate plots, Erickson was cultivating, Brooks said.

A large barn on the property was outfitted with approximately 30 indoor marijuana grow lights but was not currently active. Approximately 10 pounds of concentrated cannabis was located in the garage along with digital scales, packaging materials and price lists, according to Brooks.

On top of a large safe in the garage, was a Motorola portable radio and charger equipped with all the law enforcement frequencies. Further investigation revealed the radio was property of the Lakeport Police Department and was stolen by Erickson upon his termination, Brooks said.

Several semi-automatic rifles and pistols were located in the residence, along with a large amount of ammunition. Brooks said approximately $12,000 in cash also was seized from the residence.

He said narcotics detectives located and seized approximately 300 additional marijuana plants from satellite grow sites in the area, which were found to be in connection with Erickson’s operation.

Brooks said Erickson's Reflections of Avalon business is a marijuana storefront and dispensary on Talmage Road in Ukiah. He said it was a fully functional marijuana storefront where Erickson allegedly was buying and selling processed marijuana, marijuana products and marijuana plants for profit.

During a search of the business, detectives located and seized 167 marijuana plants, Brooks said. The marijuana plants were marked with prices and the strain of marijuana plant. Detectives seized a large amount of processed marijuana and food products containing marijuana, as well as a butane concentrated cannabis (hashish) lab from inside the business.

Inside the office area, detectives located and opened three safes. A large gun safe contained packaged processed marijuana and cash. One of the other safes contained Methadone and Oxycontin pills, both of which are strong opioids. The packaged narcotics were marked with milligrams and prices, indicating they were packaged for sales, Brooks said.

Detectives were unable to locate a labeled prescription bottle or pharmacy form for the narcotics inside the business, he said.

The last safe they opened contained processed marijuana, concentrated cannabis and approximately $4,000 cash. Brooks said all of the items were seized as evidence.

As detectives were executing the search warrant, no less than 10 customers arrived at the business to purchase marijuana. Two individuals also called the business while detectives were there, according to Brooks.

One of the individuals said he wanted to sell 17 marijuana plants and the other wanted to sell three pounds of processed marijuana. Brooks said both subjects were arrested when they arrived to sell their product.

He also said detectives noticed a sign attached to the front counter, in front of the cash register. The sign read, “Attention: Temporarily credit card charges will show up on your statement as A-1 Alarm & Lock Lakeport Ca. Thank You.”

A search of Erickson’s A-1 Alarm and Lock business in Lakeport resulted in the discovery of a Thompson replica machine gun with both a 25-round and a 50-round magazine. Brooks said the firearm and both magazines were seized as evidence.

During the service of the search warrant 16 firearms were seized and 447 marijuana plants were eradicated. Brooks said detectives also located and seized approximately 12 pounds of concentrated cannabis (hashish), approximately 15 pounds of processed marijuana and $16,000 cash.

A total of three Harley Davidson motorcycles, two Sea-Doo Jet Ski’s, Kawasaki 4X4 Gator style utility vehicle and a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup also were seized for asset forfeiture proceedings, Brooks said.

Brooks said Erickson was arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, armed while committing a drug offense, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of stolen property and possession of a billy club.

Erickson was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, with bail set at $150,000. Jail records indicated he later posted bail and was released.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.