MONTEREY COUNTY – On September 22, 2017, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wardens assisted the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in serving three search warrants that lead to the seizure of 7,520 pounds of marijuana and four firearms.

Wardens and deputies wrapped up a months-long investigation by searching three places on Argyle Road in southern Monterey County.  They were assisted by Monterey County District Attorney investigators, Monterey County Health Department, and the Monterey County Code Enforcement for potential county and environmental code violations.

At 62965 Argyle Road, in Lockwood, deputies and wardens found Arian Prather-Mooney, 20 and Vincent Phillipis, 27, both suspected illegally cultivating marijuana without a Monterey County Permit and in an area not zoned for cultivation.  Law enforcement officers seized and destroyed 678 marijuana plants weighing 5,400 pounds.  They also seized a handgun, two rifles and a shotgun.

At 62973 Argyle Road, in Lockwood, Jose Luis Nunez, 39, was allegedly illegally cultivating marijuana.  Law enforcement officers seized and destroyed 1,048 marijuana plants weighing 1,860 pounds.

During the search warrant served at 63101 Argyle Road, in Lockwood, Timothy Fisher, 45 was allegedly illegally cultivating marijuana.  Officers seized and destroyed 72 marijuana plants weighing 260 pounds.

Monterey County  has a permit process and regulations for the local permitting of medical marijuana operations under specified conditions in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County. It is unlawful for any person to conduct, engage in or allow to be conducted or engage in a commercial medical cannabis activity in the unincorporated portion of Monterey County, unless the County has issued such person a permit under Monterey County Code and the permit is in effect.

Warrant complaints for violations of these Monterey County Code violations and the California Health and Safety Code will be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.