The following is a press release from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On January 11, 2025, Deputy Donaldson was patrolling the Upper Lake area when he conducted a traffic stop due to witnessing the driver of a vehicle commit multiple violations.
Upon contacting the driver and passengers, he noted the overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Deputy Donaldson began his investigation, questioning the occupants of the vehicle. He found that the three occupants were all from out of state and in possession of large quantities of cash.
After receiving consent to search the vehicle, Deputy Donaldson located multiple suitcases containing large quantities of packaged marijuana and processed, dispensary-style marijuana products, as well as additional materials typically used in the processing and packaging of marijuana.
At the conclusion of his investigation, Deputy Donaldson placed the three individuals, Mamar Aljazara, 53, Illinois, Mohanad Maali, 48, Illinois, and Ali Salem, 47, Illinois, under arrest for charges related to illegal marijuana sale, possession, and transportation.
Aljazara, Maali, and Salem were booked into the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Narcotics Task Force tip line at (707)263-3663.
