Illegal marijuana grows found in southern Monterey County

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office discovered hundreds of marijuana plants at several locations in southern Monterey County after a months-long investigation involving multiple agencies.

According to the sheriff’s office, there were a series of search warrants served at different addresses on Argyle Road in Lockwood on Friday, September 22.

The Sheriff’s office along with the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team and California Fish and Game Wardens served the search warrants. Monterey County District Attorney investigators, the Monterey County Health Department and the Monterey County Code Enforcement also helped out.

During the searches, they found several people illegally cultivating marijuana without permits and in areas not zoned for cultivation.

678 marijuana plants were seized at one location along with a handgun, two rifles and a shotgun.

1,048 plants were found at a second location and 72 plants were found at a third location for a total of 1,798 plants that were seized and destroyed.

The suspects identified include 20-year-old Arian Prather-Mooney, 27-year-old Vincent Phillips, 39-year-old Jose Luis Nunez and 45-year-old Timothy Fisher.

Complaints for the code violations will be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.

The Sheriff’s Office said complaints from Supervisor Simon Salinas helped in this case and the investigation was carried out by agencies who are members of the Monterey County Cannabis Enforcement Group.