2 Arrested in Alleged Murrieta Marijuana Growing Operation

Editor's Note: This post was updated at 6:15 p.m. to include booking photos.

Two men are facing possible criminal charges after their arrests this week in connection with an alleged marijuana growing operation at a Murrieta warehouse.

Ryan Joseph Murphy, 36, and Randal Allen Nelson II, 23, were taken into police custody Tuesday following an investigation that lasted several weeks, Murrieta police Sgt. Steve Dyer stated Wednesday in a news release.

"...Detectives from the Murrieta Police Department's Special Enforcement Team conducted an investigation into a possible marijuana growing operation at 41700 Elm Street in the City of Murrieta," Dyer stated.

That investigation culminated when a search warrant was served Tuesday at the warehouse location, according to the sergeant.

"A related traffic stop and a search of the warehouse resulted in the seizure of over 12 pounds of packaged marijuana, a sophisticated growing operation, marijuana plants in a variety of stages, and lab components for manufacturing honey oil," Dyer stated.

Murphy and Nelson were booked into Southwest Detention Center near Murrieta on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, cultivation of marijuana, possession of the drug for sales purposes and transportation of the drug for sales purposes.

As of Thursday, sheriff's jail records indicated Murphy had been released on $50,000 and had a tentative court date of Aug. 28.

Nelson was still in custody. He was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and was due to be arraigned Friday.