Hundreds of marijuana plants seized in Delhi

Two recent raids in Delhi ended with three children placed in protective custody, one arrest and the seizure of hundreds of marijuana plants, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department said.

Rosalinda Valencia, 27, was living in the corner of a kitchen in a two-story house in the 16000 block of Serenity Court in Delhi with her three children, all of whom are under the age of 8, Sgt. Ray Framstad said.

“All of the bedrooms and other areas of the house were filled with mature marijuana plants definitely grown in connection with organized crime – a completely commercial operation,” Framstad said.

“There was a bypass on the electrical power at the house, which is a very dangerous fire hazard, and with all of the chemicals inside and on the floors, we contacted (Child Protective Services) and they took custody of the children,” he said.

Framstad said a search warrant, which was authored by lead investigator Deputy Bryce Stevenson, was served Friday night. Deputies seized more than 250 plants, each more than 4 feet tall, authorities said.

The Turlock Irrigation District estimated more than $10,000 in utilities had been stolen as part of the growing operation, Framstad said. “Some of the electrical wires had melted together because of the bypass, and it was only a matter of time before a fire started,” he said.

Valencia refused to say whether anyone else was involved in the operation, Framstad said, but deputies suspect the grow house was connected to organized traffickers.

She was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of child endangerment, cultivating marijuana for sale and utilities theft. She was no longer in custody Tuesday night.

Nearly 500 marijuana plants were seized Thursday from a house in the 9500 block of Palm Street in Delhi, the Sheriff’s Department said. Investigators also seized more than 6 pounds of marijuana buds.

Investigators said the Palm Street grow house was not believed to be connected to a larger trafficking operation, but said thousands of dollars in utilities had been stolen over the last six months.

The resident, a 36-year-old man, was not arrested, but deputies said they plan to ask the Merced County District Attorney’s Office to consider filing criminal charges against him.

This story was originally published November 25, 2014 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Hundreds of marijuana plants seized in Delhi."