Pot Grow Suspect Pleads No Contest

A man arrested in connection with pleaded no contest Tuesday to a misdemeanor drug charge.

Lloyd Harman of Santa Cruz, who was 25 when the Rodriguez Street grow house was busted in November, was sentenced to two years probation by Judge Stephen Sillman.

Harman and Karl March, 31, of Watsonville were arrested when deputies raided a building on the 600 block of Rodriguez Street. Inside, they found more than 130 pounds of high-quality, vacuumed-sealed marijuana in 10-pound, 2-pound and 1-pound bags that had been stuffed into black boxes. Sheriff's deputies reported its value at more than $1 million and also found about $67,000 cash in the building.

Harman posted bail after his arrest. Tuesday, he pleaded no contest—which is similar to a guilty plea—to one count of loitering with the intent to engage in drug-related activity. He was sentenced to two years probation and 80 hours of community service.

March is currently serving a two year sentence at County Jail for possessing marijuana for sale, according to jail records. His incarceration began in April.

The take down of the marijuana growing operation was one of several pot cultivation busts in Watsonville in the past year. For more on these cases, check out Patch's pot coverage HERE.

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