75A - PH - MEDICAL MARIJUANA - PROHIBIT

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SONOMA COUNTY A subject was arrested May 9, 2001 while growing for himself and other patients; convicted by a jury of cultivating more than 100 plants on Feb I1, 2002; sentenced to S yrs probation; He was re-arrested July 31, 2002 for cultivating while on probation. Convicted and sentenced to 44 months for growing 920 plants Dec 19, 2002. Released on bail April 2004; awaiting sentencing post-Raich 2005. The proprietor of Genesis 1:29 club in Peta1_uma was arrested Sept 13, 2002. Agents uprooted 3,454 plants at the drib's garden in Sebastopol. The suspect pled guilty July 2003; sentenced to 41 months, July 2005. Infonnatian provided by: (Source) http•//www canorml or~lnews/fedmmicases.html Friday, February 17, 200b at 12:13, PM Commercial marijuana operation shut down. Un 2/16/05, the Sonoma County Narcotic Task Force, SCNTF, anal the County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team, COMMET completed an investigation involving alarge-scale commercial. marijuana growing operation.. At the first residence on Little Creek Rd., agents located a marijuana growing operation where "starter" plants were being cultivated. These plants would eventually be moved to the larger grow rooms as they matured. As agents collected evidence, Kenneth D. Brenner, 57 yrs, of Annapolis arrived at the residence. When agents contacted Brenner, they located grow equipment in the bed of his truck. He was detained and returned to his residence. At Brem7er's residence, agents seized numerous firearms. Agents also seized an AIC47, a Colt AR 15, and a .308 sniper rifle. Additional documents linking Brenner to the growing operation were seized. The indoor grow operation included 4 buildings which were located approximately a quarter of a mile off Annapolis Rd. in the thick brush.. The grow buildings ranged from 100'X 30' to 30'x 20'. The buildings were constructed of plywood, with the exteriors painted black, and concealed under the thick canopy of trees. The plants were growing in a hydroponics type system, under approximately 120 high intensity lights. The lighting equipment alone is valued at $48,000.00. Agents located a camouflaged, insulated concrete bunker which housed a 125KW diesel generator. This generator was seized and valued at approximately $75,000.00. The total number of plants was approximately 1700. Agents determined the plants when harvested would yield approximately SO pounds of marijuana. The marijuana would have a street value of $150,000.00. As agents continued their searching, they seized over 3,000 live rounds of ammunition in one of the grow buildings. The ammunition. matched the same type of assault rifles seized at Brenner's residence. Agents then discovered numerous metal military type ammunition cans hidden u1 the area. When the cans were opened, the agents discovered 22 solid bars of silver, and antique silver coins. The bars each weighed 9ozs., with an estimated value of $30,000.00. The Drug Enforcement Administration was contacted to consider the adoption of this case on a federal level. Mr. Brenner was released at his residence. The case will be under further review by the United States Attorn.ey's Office. For further information contact Detective Sergeant Chris Bertoli at (707) 565-5441. Prepared by Detective Sergeant Chris Bertoli. 26 75A-35