Delhi man arrested, marijuana eradicated in Merced County

One man was arrested Sunday and hundreds of illegal marijuana plants were eradicated in Delhi and Stevinson in Merced County, the Sheriff’s Department reported.

Erich F. Onate was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of marijuana cultivation and illegal possession of a firearm. He remained in custody Sunday on $165,000 bail, according to booking records.

Onate, a 28-year-old Delhi resident, is suspected of helping to grow dozens of marijuana plants at a home in the 9000 block of Gordon Avenue. He was arrested while in possession of three illegal firearms, Sgt. Ray Framstad said.

Deputies described Onate as a known “associate” of a criminal street gang in Merced County.

Sheriff’s investigators on Sunday also raided multiple homes in the 19000 block of Third Avenue in Stevinson. More than 1,000 plants were eradicated between at least two homes in that area, deputies said.

Framstad said the Stevinson operation was likely connected to “organized crime.”

“When it comes to these types of operations, we almost always see (illegally modified) firearms and weapons and plenty of evidence of other criminal activity. That’s something you don’t find with people growing their ... plants for (medical) use,” Framstad said.

This story was originally published August 2, 2015 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Delhi man arrested, marijuana eradicated in Merced County."