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South County narcotics probe finds cache of illegal weapons, marijuana
By Jennifer Squires
Posted: 12/17/2009 01
37 AM PSTLARKIN VALLEY -- One man was arrested and dozens of illegal weapons confiscated after the Sheriff's Office SWAT team raided a sprawling property on the 2000 block of Larkin Valley Road on Wednesday afternoon.
Deputies reportedly found a cache of illegal assault rifles and a marijuana grow at the rural property just east of Highway 1.
"I've never seen so many guns," said Sgt. Mark Yanez, who headed the investigation.
He said deputies seized more than 50 guns "of all kinds," adding many were banned under state law. Deputies also found a 100-plant marijuana grow in a garage on the property, according to Yanez.
Reid William Nottoli, 25, was arrested for drugs and weapons charges, Yanez said. He lives at the property in the upscale rural neighborhood with his family, including his parents, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The SWAT team raid was the culmination of a weeklong narcotics investigation. Deputies spent about two hours Wednesday afternoon searching all the buildings -- two homes, two garages and a large shipping container -- on the hilly property, according to Sgt. Greg Lansdowne.
The SWAT team got involved "because we had information that he had illegal weapons," Yanez said. It's not uncommon for the tactical unit to help serve search warrants in potentially violent situations, but there was no violence during Wednesday's bust.
An ambulance was called for a 40-year-old woman suffering from chest pain, but Lansdowne did
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not know if she was transported to the hospital. Several other people were detained at the scene and released after questioning.
Nottoli, who was out of jail on bond for another case, was booked into County Jail on suspicion of cultivating marijuana, possessing marijuana for sale and possessing illegal weapons, according to jail records. His bail for the prior case, involving allegations of driving under the influence and having a loaded gun in his vehicle, was revoked, Yanez said.
Detectives remained at the property after nightfall.
"We're still investigating the case," Yanez said.
Eight years ago, a teenager living in one of the homes killed a burglar.
Joshua Thai Moua, 20, died from multiple stab wounds to the torso and arms at 2 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2001, at 2001 Larkin Valley Road, according to Sentinel archives. Investigators believed Moua and two other men were trying to break into a home on the property occupied by the 17-year-old son of a wealthy importer, and the teen grabbed a large knife and stabbed Moua while defending himself from the intruders.
At the time, investigators said it was unlikely the teen would be charged if he was defending himself from the attackers.
Lansdowne declined to comment on any ties between the fatal stabbing and Wednesday's raid.
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