Police Discover Marijuana Growhouse on Nicoli Lane

Sonoma Police busted a marijuana grow-house on the 300 block of Nicoli Ln, following complaints from neighbors who reported suspicious activity in the residence.

After monitoring the properties utility bills – and finding an abnormally high PG&E usage – police obtained a warrant Wednesday and at 9:55 a.m. searched the property for illicit substances.

A police team uncovered two separate grow operations in the back yard, cultivating 69 marijuana plants between the two spaces.

Robert Merrill, 22, and Sean Grasso, 44, both residents of the property were cited with a felony count of cultivating marijuana for sale.

Police said that the men were selling the marijuana illegally to a dispensary in Vallejo as a primary source of income.

The marijuana, along with the grow lights, were confiscated by the police department for destruction. Police tagged several structures in the yard, that were built without permit, for removal.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article said that both Sean Grasso and Robert Merrill were booked into Sonoma County Jail. This is incorrect, according to information received by the Sonoma Police Department they were cited and released.