During the month of August 2024, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office conducted aerial surveillance that led to the discovery of an illegal outdoor marijuana cultivation site in the middle of a seasonal stream that drains directly into Kelsey Creek. The site was located in the 15000 block of Bottle Rock Road in Cobb, California. Subsequent investigation revealed that the property was owned by Salvador Martinez, 34, of Cobb.
On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, detectives served a search warrant at the property, where Martinez was immediately located and detained. During the search, detectives discovered three firearms, $20,000 in cash, and over 100 large marijuana plants growing in the middle of a natural drainage area that feeds directly into Kelsey Creek. The creek is home to a small population of rainbow trout and serves as a breeding ground for the endangered Clear Lake Hitch.
While executing the search warrant, two additional suspects, Leonardo Martinez-Franco, 18, of Kelseyville, and Leonardo Martinez-Campos, 48, of Kelseyville, arrived at the property to tend to the marijuana plants. All three individuals were arrested and transported to the Hill Road Correctional Facility on charges related to felony marijuana cultivation with environmental crimes and possession of marijuana for sale.
Detectives subsequently obtained a second search warrant for the residence of Martinez-Franco and Martinez-Campos, located in the 5000 block of Cold Creek Drive in Kelseyville. During the search of the residence, detectives uncovered an AR-style rifle with no serial number (commonly referred to as a “ghost gun”), 35 pounds of processed and packaged marijuana buds, 89 additional marijuana plants, and 13 bottles of pesticides manufactured in Mexico that are banned in the United States due to their toxicity to fish, wildlife, and humans. Additionally, three bottles of highly regulated pesticides were discovered on the property.
