Preliminary hearing for pot growers set

A preliminary hearing for two men suspected of growing marijuana has been set for June 17. Artemio Gonzalez-Hera, 34, of San Jose, and Jose Zaragoza Plancarte, 33, of Carnation, Washington, were arraigned Thursday in the Madera County Superior Courthouse under presiding Judge Dale J. Blea.

Hera and Plancarte don’t speak English, so a Spanish interpreter read out the charges and procedures to the suspects.

Deputies served a search warrant on Hidden Falls Way in Oakhurst on Tuesday morning, following suspicion of illegal marijuana cultivation, according to Cmdr. Bill Ward of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

“The owners of the property were not involved in the marijuana cultivation,” Ward said. “And were very cooperative in the investigation.” ...