Approximately 1,000 marijuana plants and 300 pounds of processed cannabis were seized at a bust of an illegal growing operation east of Keyes on Dec. 21.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office obtained and executed a search warrant on a property in the 9000 block of E. Keyes Road. The seized plants and product were worth a half million dollars in street value. Two stolen guns were also seized.

The location of the illegal grow was in the vicinity just west of Santa Fe Avenue between Denair and Hughson.

Jaime Beltran, 38, of Denair was arrested on felony suspicion of operating a drug house and possession of stolen

property. A bail enhancement was added due to Beltran being out on bail for a prior similar charge.

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Luke Schwartz said Beltrans bail was set for $110,000.

Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse celebrated the bust in a Facebook post that read: “Another illegal grow gone, another criminal in custody and two stolen guns recovered. Merry Christmas!”

Stanislaus County has allocated fees paid by legal cannabis manufacturers and dispensaries to the Sheriff’s Department’s Marijuana Enforcement Team which conducted the recent enforcement action.