Cache of assault rifles, more than 100 pounds of pot seized at homes on …

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SANTA CRUZ — Five people were arrested and more than 100 pounds of marijuana and 13 assault rifles were seized from five locations in Santa Cruz County on Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies said.

The Santa Cruz County Anti-crime Team found several assault rifles at a home on the 100 block of Plateau Avenue on the Westside. At that point, deputies notified agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and worked with them on some of the other seizures and arrests, said sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Yanez.

All told, authorities found more than 100 pounds of marijuana buds, more than 400 marijuana plants, 17 guns including eight AK-47s and five AR-15 assault rifles, and several high-capacity magazines, according to

the sheriff’s office. The marijuana buds seized are valued at more than $300,000.

Pounds of marijuana were seized from the other four homes, including on the Westside of Santa Cruz on the 100 block of National Street and the 200 block of Santa Cruz Street, sheriff’s deputies said.

“There was definitely an unusual amount of assault rifles in the Plateau location,” Yanez said.

At the other locations, Yanez said, “They were growing marijuana and they participated in tending marijuana, cutting, trimming and selling.”

A search of a home on the 600 block of Robles Drive in Bonny Doon turned up more weapons on Tuesday, authorities said, as well as more pot at on the 500 block of Jarvis Road north

of Scotts Valley.

Deputies arrested Cody Dumont, Garth Dumont, Mikaela Smith, Gary Gilholm, and Naomi Marquez for conspiracy and possession for sale and cultivation of marijuana. Cody and Garth Dumont additionally face weapon charges.

Cody Dumont, 35, was arrested on National Street and listed his occupation as “Realtor,” according to County Jail records.

Three others were arrested at the home on Santa Cruz Street: Garth Dumont, Gilholm and Smith. Garth Dumont,

29, is a landscaper, according to jail records. Gilholm, 30, is a painter and Smith, 35, is a “recruiter,” according to jail records.

Marquez, 32, was arrested at the Jarvis Road location north of Scotts Valley, records stated. She listed her occupation as “esthetical.”

ATF Agents took possession of the illegal weapons and are looking at possible federal charges for two of the suspects.

In Bonny Doon, authorities seized a speedboat that was recently purchased in cash for about $40,000, sheriff’s deputies said. It was not likely used for trafficking but for fun, Yanez said.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information on cases to call the investigations division 454-2311

or the anonymous tip line at 454-2847.

Gary Gilholm