Authorities bust three illegal marijuana grow houses in Los Banos

Three search warrants served by the Merced Area Gang Narcotic Enforcement Team and Los Banos police on June 14 yielded illegal marijuana cultivation busts.

About 243 marijuana plants, 194 grams of processed marijuana, suspected cocaine, a handgun and an illegal electrical bypass were found at a residence in the 2100 block of Greenbriar Drive, according to a police statement.

The second search warrant was served at a residence in the 1800 block of Sonoma Avenue. Authorities discovered about 165 marijuana plants, about 6.3 kilograms of processed marijuana, 15 grams of concentrated cannabis, an illegal electrical bypass and a handgun, police said.

Officers and agents executed a third search warrant, according to the statement, locating an illegal electrical bypass and recovering about 272 marijuana plants and 46 pounds of dried marijuana at a home in the 700 block of Harlequin Court.

Hector Ignacio Guerra, 34, was arrested during the operation at Greenbriar Drive. According to the statement, no one was found at the two other locations during the searches.

According to Merced Superior Court records, Guerra pleaded not guilty June 17 to felony charges of cultivating and harvesting dry and processed marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and possession for sale of a controlled substance.

He also pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obtaining utility services without paying, according to court records.

This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Authorities bust three illegal marijuana grow houses in Los Banos."