Illegal water diversion leads to big Mendocino pot bust

<p>An illegal water diversion from the Eel River between Highway 101 and Dos Rios led to the seizure of 766 marijuana plants and the arrests of 12 migrant pot farm workers, most of them from Southern California, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported.</p><p>“It looks like most of them were friends and they came up together,” said Sheriff's Lt. Tim Marsh. Many were living in tents on the property.</p><p>The workers arrested Wednesday said they were making between $15 and $25 an hour, he said.</p><p>Three people believed to have orchestrated the marijuana operation also were arrested Wednesday. They were Golden Depesa, 32, of Oceanside, a professional surfer; his brother, Jeremiah Depesa, 35, of Willits, a surfboard shaper; and David Clark, 33, of Oceanside.</p><p>They were arrested on suspicion of marijuana cultivation and sales. Clark also was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of firearms. He had in his trailer a high-powered rifle and a 9 mm pistol, both of them loaded, Marsh said. Clark admitted to a prior conviction for cocaine trafficking, Marsh said.</p><p>The people working the gardens included five additional people from Oceanside, along with people from Carlsbad, San Diego and Vista. One man, Byron Peirson, 49, is from Clearlake. They were arrested on suspicion of marijuana cultivation. Several of those arrested claimed to have medical marijuana prescriptions, Marsh said.</p><p>Authorities also seized 300 pounds of processed pot and a mechanical trimming machine with an estimated value of $15,000, Marsh said.</p><p>The bust stems from a state Fish and Game warrant obtained in connection with the water diversion. A pump was shunting water from the river and through partially buried pipes to six gardens, Marsh said.</p><p>There also was evidence of diesel fuel contamination from generators at the 160-acre parcel, he said.</p><p>“They're going to get more time for diverting water and putting oil in the soil than they will for growing marijuana in Mendocino County,” he said.</p>