The Union provides scant details on federal marijuana raid in Nevada County

Bud’s note: You’d think The Union of Grass Valley might throw in a source, any source, for this mess of a story, which reads more like a law enforcement press release. No word on whether the arrestees had scripts or whether it was a medical marijuana grow site; we don’t even know what day(s) the arrests happened. An update is promised, which is good, because this “breaking news” post is crap.

Updated story in The Union
Sacramento Bee coverage of Monday’s arrests

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Following a two year-long investigation, the Nevada County Narcotics Task force, along with agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency, Mountain and Valley Marijuana Investigation Team, and the IRS, served a federal search warrant in the 11000 block of Glenn Loop, in the Rough and Ready area.

The home owner, John Gross II, 68, was the subject of an investigation beginning in 2008 after aerial observations showed a large marijuana grow on his property. This grow has been increasing in size over the past years, including additional green houses being built. The investigation revealed a marijuana plant cloning operation in addition to the distribution of large volumes of marijuana.

Some of those arrested on scene were John Gross II, 68, Kenneth Gross, 42, Jack Lions, 58, and Salvador Ryes, 53; all from Rough and Ready.

While executing the search warrant, several employees of marijuana grow operation were contacted and subsequently arrested. Their names are Travis Hronis, 21 of Grass Valley, Matthew Maya, 19 of Penn Valley and Brandon Maya, 22, also of Penn Valley. A 37-year-old female from Colfax was questioned and released at the scene.

Agents seized for destruction 2,804 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, ranging from starter plants to approximately four feet in height. There was a large cloning room, numerous outdoor marijuana plants and two large green houses full of marijuana under cultivation.

Agents also seized approximately $5,000 in U.S. currency inside the residence, and approximately 200 pounds of untrimmed and processed marijuana inside six large gun safes, several plastic totes and large plastic bags. A sophisticated enclosed cargo trailer was being used as a drying room for the marijuana. Two backhoes, a bulldozer, a Bobcat, two quads and the cargo trailer, along with a 2000 Ford F-350 were all being used to facilitate the cultivation of marijuana (and) were also seized.