WATERFORD—

After a zoning officer noticed it from the road, three men are under arrest in connection to a large marijuana growing operation in Waterford.

Back on Friday, according to a release from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, a zoning officer out near S. Western Avenue and Terrace View Lane spotted what looked to be a marijuana grow and called authorities.

Around 9:30 Tuesday morning, deputies made their move on the house. One suspect bolted from the home and wasn’t ever found, but two others –26-year-old Raymond Adams and 21-year-old Miguel Ruiz, both Sacramento residents – were found at the home and taken into custody.

Deputies soon found that a large marijuana grow in the backyard of the property. A six to eight foot fence surrounded a garden of around 36 marijuana plants, ranging from four to ten feet high.

A drying room with some harvested marijuana was also found in another building on the property, deputies say.

The owner of the property – 39-year-old Ernest Ruiz Jr. – came home while authorities conducted their raid. Ruiz Jr. is said to live at the property with his wife and two sons. Ruiz Jr. was later arrested on charges of cultivation of marijuana, conspiracy, possession of marijuana for sale and child endangerment.

Miguel Ruiz and Adams were booked on charges of marijuana cultivation and conspiracy.