CLEARLAKE, Calif. – In the latest in a series of operations targeting illegal commercial marijuana grows, the Clearlake Police Department said one suspect was arrested and almost 1,300 plants were seized and eradicated on Thursday.

Police arrested a man who identified himself as 53-year-old Jose Antonio Chabolla Munoz of Clearlake for his involvement in the sales and commercial cultivation of marijuana, according to Lt. Tim Celli, the department's acting chief.

The man was booked under the name Antonio Chabolla after no record of him was found under the name he gave to authorities, Celli said.

Celli said that Chabolla was taken into custody shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday when Clearlake Police officers served a search warrant in the 3500 block of Locust Avenue at the home where he and his family live.

When officers initially arrived they gave numerous announcements of their presence, demanded entry into the residence and the surrounding buildings, but received no answer, Celli said.

Cell said the officers subsequently forced open the doors of the residence as well as a garage that had been converted into living quarters.

Inside the garage living quarters, an adult female – whose name Celli said is being withheld because she was not charged with a crime – was located inside with her small child.

The woman apparently didn’t unlock the door or contact the police when commanded to do so because she was calling her father, Chabolla, who was at work at a local restaurant, according to Celli's report.

Celli said the officers did not locate anyone else at the property. However, a short time later, a woman identified as Chabolla’s wife and Chabolla himself showed up at the residence in two separate vehicles.

During the service of the search warrant, officers located and seized approximately 1,272 marijuana plants from the backyard of the residence. Celli said some of the plants were planted in the ground, however, many of the plants were still in pots, appearing as though they would be moved to another location.

Also seized during the search warrants were several false identifications including several Social Security cards and a passport, all belonging to Chabolla in various names with different Social Security numbers, Celli said.

Celli said several thousand dollars in cash also was seized and is pending judicial asset forfeiture proceedings. 

Officers located evidence to suggest sales of marijuana, including information collected that suggested large sale transactions upwards of $50,000. Celli said scales and packaging were located along with approximately 8.5 pounds of processed marijuana.

During a subsequent interview of Chabolla, he took responsibility of the marijuana located at the residence. In addition, he admitted that he has been involved in sales, cultivation and also brokering marijuana deals for a several years, according to Celli.

Celli said Chabolla was arrested and later booked into the Lake County Jail pending proper identification, with bail set at $15,000.

Charges against him, according to booking records, included felony charges of marijuana cultivation, possession of marijuana for sale and forging an official seal.

No record for Chabolla under the name he gave to police – Jose Antonio Chabolla Munoz – was located during a Livescan fingerprint check and he was eventually bailed from the Lake County Jail under the name Antonio Chabolla, Celli said.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to call Det. Elvis Cook at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.

Celli said the Clearlake Police Department will continue to investigate commercial marijuana grows in the city, with subjects who are involved in or renting property to growing operations subject to prosecution for felony crimes as well as environmental crimes.

Under city ordinance, commercial growing of marijuana is not allowed and Celli said the laws pertaining to cultivation, sales transportation or furnishing will be assertively enforced.

He said these operations should not be confused with the medical marijuana permit process and enforcement that involves Clearlake Code Enforcement.

Information of the medical marijuana permit process can be found on line at the city of Clearlake Web site, http://clearlake.ca.us/ .