Grower in Oakland CHP Bust Gets Probation

OAKLAND
2 years' probation for pot grower

Henry K. Lee
SF Chronicle
Tuesday, December 7, 2004

A Santa Clara woman was sentenced to two years' probation Monday for
her role in the cultivation of 4,000 marijuana plants found in a West
Oakland warehouse that supporters say was a legitimate grower of
medical cannabis.

Celeste Angello, 28, of Santa Clara, pleaded guilty Sept. 1 to a
misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession. Heleno Dearaujo, 32, of
Concord, was scheduled to enter a guilty plea last month on a
misdemeanor charge of maintaining a place for manufacturing
marijuana, but the proceeding was closed to the public. [A good
indication that the defendant is cooperating with the government -
D.G.]

Three other suspects -- Jacek Mroz, 27, of Oakland, Jesse Nieblas,
32, of Alameda, and Mario Pacetti, 33, of Alameda -- were indicted in
July by a federal grand jury in Oakland. They have pleaded not guilty
to felony charges of manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana
with intent to sell, aiding and abetting, and using a place for
manufacturing marijuana.

California Highway Patrol officers discovered the plants June 30 in
a warehouse at 2638 Market St.

Medicinal marijuana advocates criticized the CHP for calling in
federal agents -- instead of Oakland police -- and said the plants
were being grown for a medical cannabis dispensary with a permit from
the city of Oakland.

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