CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police officers on Wednesday made one arrest and seized weapons connected to a 1,000-plant marijuana grow discovered during the response to a loud music call.

Ramon Valencia, 49, of Ukiah was taken into custody during the investigation, according to Lt. Tim Celli.

At about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday Clearlake Police officers responded to the 14000 block of Konocti Street for a report of loud music, Celli said.

When the officers arrived, Celli said they contacted Valencia, who was standing behind his vehicle in the driveway, which was within just a few feet of the roadway.

Valencia showed numerous objective signs of alcohol intoxication to the point the officers determined Valencia was unable to care for his safety or the safety of others. He was subsequently arrested for public intoxication, Celli said.

Celli said a 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol was in plain view on the front passenger seat of his unsecured vehicle. The vehicle windows were down and the vehicle was unlocked. Additionally, officers observed the gate to the backyard and the side door to the residence was open.

Valencia denied living at the residence or being involved with the residence in any way. Based on the fact Valencia was in possession of a firearm and the doors to the residence were open, along with his statements that he did not live there, officers attempted to make contact with someone else at the residence, Celli said.

He said the officers were unable to make contact with anyone at the home, and were concerned that someone may have been injured inside or another crime was occurring. Based on this belief and an exigency exemption, officers conducted a protective sweep of the open residence to make sure there were no victims of a crime located inside of the residence.

Officers did not locate anyone else in or on the property, however, they discovered the entire residence was converted into an indoor marijuana growing operation. Celli said every room beside the bathroom and the kitchen was being used to grow marijuana.

In addition, officers discovered two large “hoop houses” in the back yard that were both completely full of marijuana, Celli said.

Celli said the patrol officers collected the unsecured 9-millimeter handgun that was in Valencia’s vehicle for safe keeping and transported Valencia to the police station.

The patrol officers left the residence and alerted the investigation unit of what they had discovered. Celli said a Clearlake Police detective later authored a search warrant which was signed by a Lake County Superior Court judge authorizing the search of the residence and property to further investigate this large scale marijuana growing operation.

As a result of the search warrant service, 1,018 high grade marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized, Celli said.

There were no living quarters inside the residence, however a makeshift room made out of plywood was located outside the residence, near the backyard and the two hoop houses, he said.

Located inside that makeshift room, forms of identification and other evidence belonging to Valencia were located. Celli said officers also located two additional semi-automatic pistols with a high capacity magazine, a glass methamphetamine pipe and other evidence linking Valencia to the property and the car in the driveway.

Valencia later was charged with felony violations for cultivation, being armed while in the commission of a felony and possession of a high capacity firearm magazine, Celli said.

His bail was set at $15,000. He remained in custody late Wednesday, according to booking records.

Anyone who has information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Det. Elvis Cook at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.

Celli said the marijuana grow was clearly for a commercial purpose and therefore is being investigated as criminal grow site.

He reiterated that the Clearlake Police Department has no interest in legal medicinal marijuana grows that are in compliance with the city ordinance, and the agency recommends that any citizen desiring to grow medicinal marijuana follow the permit process or risk code violations and civil penalties through Code Enforcement.

Earlier this year a city ordinance went into effect that requires individuals to apply for a permit to grow medicinal marijuana in the Clearlake city limits. Information on the permit process can be located at the City of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.