Man pleads not guilty for alleged commercial pot operation on Paradise ridge

A man has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from two alleged commercial marijuana, hash and honey oil operations on the Paradise ridge.
On Thursday in Butte County Superior Court, John Brandon Sloane, 31, entered pleas on four felony counts of cultivating pot, possessing pot for sale, manufacturing a controlled substance other than PCP, and transporting pot.

Judge Kristen Lucena set a preliminary hearing for Sept. 1.

On Aug. 11, the Butte County Sheriff's Office Special Enforcement Unit arrested Sloane, reportedly from Georgia, after searching a residence on the 4200 block of Pentz Road.

Deputies reportedly found 131 mature pot plants, 74 immature plants, 43 pounds of processed pot, two pounds of keif hashish packaged for sale, and cash.

They also discovered a commercial honey oil lab and 6.5 ounces of honey oil.

Deputies later searched a Coutolenc Road residence believed to be an auxiliary site.

They discovered another honey oil lab and a hashish extraction operation.

Officials also reportedly found 244 immature plants, 8.5 pounds of processed pot, 1.6 ounces of keif hash and 1.6 grams of honey oil.

Sloane remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.