Firearms, marijuana seized near Atwater schools

Two people were arrested, four firearms were seized and dozens of plants were eradicated Thursday during raids at three homes in Atwater where investigators said marijuana was being cultivated near public schools.

Jose Cisneros, 29, was arrested on suspicion of marijuana cultivation, cultivation near a school, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of high-capacity magazines and possession of a short-barreled rifle, Atwater police Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

Cynthia Sequira, 45, also was arrested on suspicion of marijuana cultivation, cultivation near a school and possession of a stolen firearm, authorities said.

Agents with the Merced County Inter-Agency Gang and Narcotics Task Force served search warrants at homes on Herman and Mitchell streets near Aileen Colburn Elementary School and Quince Avenue near Mitchell Senior Elementary School.

Police Sgt. Rodney Court said agents targeted homes for suspected weapons possession and illegal marijuana cultivation. The home in the 1500 block of Herman Street shares a backyard fence with Aileen Colburn Elementary School. More than 40 large marijuana plants were found in the backyard.

“This was literally inches from a school playground,” Court said in an interview outside the home Thursday. “School starts next week.”

A total of four firearms were seized, including a short-barreled rifle with high-capacity magazines and nearly 150 marijuana plants ranging from bush size to nearly 8 feet tall, authorities said.

“The reason we target certain grows is that we know there are weapons and possible gang connections involved and, especially when they are near schools like this, we want to make sure that gets taken care of,” Court said.

Atwater has a city ordinance prohibiting marijuana from being grown outdoors, police said.

This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 7:20 PM with the headline "Firearms, marijuana seized near Atwater schools."