Million Dollar Grow Operation Seized in Half Moon Bay

San Mateo County authorities on Wednesday seized more than 1,500 marijuana plants, approximately 19 pounds of processed marijuana and several guns from a Half Moon Bay warehouse complex that was being used to conceal an illegal indoor marijuana grow operation and a residence connected to the operation.

The estimated value of the processed marijuana recovered is $60,800 and the value of the plants is approximately $1.2 million, authorities said.

The San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force, with the assistance of the Half Moon Bay Patrol Bureau of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, executed two search warrants Wednesday night after receiving an "investigative lead from a reliable source," according to the task force.

One man, Lask Tsatsaronis, 37, was arrested at the warehouse complex in the 600 block of Marseille Lane without incident. Tsatsaronis is suspected of growing marijuana, possessing marijuana for sale, theft of utilities and possession of stolen property.

An additional 2 pounds of processed marijuana was seized while executing the second warrant at the suspect's home in the 600 block of Marseille Lane in Half Moon Bay, where six handguns -- one allegedly stolen out of Suisun City -- were also found.

Tsatsaronis was released on $15,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned March 5 at 9 a.m. at San Mateo County Northern Superior Court.

An investigation into this grow operation is ongoing.

--Bay City News

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