LORAIN — The Lorain County Drug Task Force has raided a Lorain home and hauled its owner out in handcuffs.

They also spent about two hours packing up the supplies for his marijuana growing operation, including lighting, fans, a humidifier, chemicals, fans and even a vacuum sealer they say comprised three “drug houses” within his home.

The person arrested was the homeowner of 341 Root Road in Lorain, near the border with Sheffield Lake. He lived alone, according to sheriff’s deputies.

More photos below.

Neighbors referred to him as “Mark” and said he had lived there about 10 to 12 years, had built his own home from the ground up and was a brick layer by trade who had worked on many homes along the street. The Lorain County Auditor’s Web site lists the homeowner as Mark J. Gorta.

The Lorain County Drug Task Force, comprised mainly of sheriff’s deputies, hauled out about 15 to 20 fully grown marijuana plants, which they said were valued at about $1,000 apiece. They also found about 10 more marijuana plants in various stages of growth. They said the marijuana he was growing would be considered high grade.

Deputies said they would classify him as a low-to-above-average home grower and expected him to face felony charges of marijuana cultivation, among other charges.

“It wasn’t like he was dealing with a ton of people,” one deputy said. “He had a few steady customers.”

That sentiment was echoed by neighbors, who described him as “a nice guy” and said he mostly kept to himself.

One neighbor said he’d been inside his house recently and hadn’t noticed anything amiss or any funny smells. The marijuana smells were stifling as deputies hauled it out, though. Sheriff’s officers seemed to be having a tough time packing it all into the back of a county van, and kept the door open for ventilation ahead of their ride back.

A man who showed up as officers investigated said he was the homeowner’s brother and was allowed to take his dog with him.

Check back at Chroniclet.com for more on this story as it becomes available.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (strained left groin) said he would return to the lineup today in one of the Indians’ split-squad games. Manager Manny Acta confirmed as much. Cabrera has been on the shelf since last Friday when he sustained the injury diving back to third base in an exhibition game against the Angels in Goodyear. … Acta said closer Kerry Wood (strained right lat) played catch Thursday, but the manager still doesn’t have a timetable for the right-hander’s return. “I know it’s a story for (the media), but it’s a non-issue to us,” Acta said. “He’s a closer. He doesn’t have to be out there every day.” … Acta was asked if there was a progress report on first baseman Russell Branyan, who has yet to play in an exhibition game, still dealing with a lower-back issue. Acta’s reply? “No.”  

Indians (8-4-2) 6, Reds (6-7-1) 2

Hits: Designated hitter Travis Hafner hit his first home run of the spring, a solo blast in the fourth inning that traveled well above the 410-foot wall in dead center. … Left fielder Trevor Crowe went 2-for-3 with a double and made a nice running catch down the line in the opening inning. … Utility infield candidate Mark Grudzielanek made a diving snare on line drive in the fourth, then threw to first to double up the runner and end the inning. … First baseman Wes Hodges continued his impressive performance at the plate. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and his first homer of the spring, and is batting .375 (9-for-24) with three doubles and seven RBIs in 10 games.

Misses: Jeremy Sowers made his exhibition debut and after retiring the side in order in the first, allowed three consecutive hits to begin the second, including a two-run homer to Jonny Gomes.

Rising star? Prized pitching prospect, right-hander Hector Rondon, tossed three scoreless innings and allowed two hits, while striking out four. He hasn’t allowed a run in three exhibition appearances (5 2/3 innings).

Attendance: 5,478 at Goodyear Ballpark

ELYRIA – The route for the funeral procession that will carry slain Elyria police Officer James Kerstetter’s to his final resting place Saturday has been set.

The funeral is set to begin at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a memorial route from Lorain County Community College, where the funeral is being held, to Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Avon, where Kerstetter will be laid to rest. The funeral is for family and police officers only. Members of the public are asked to line the processional route to pay their respects.

The procession will leave the college and head north on North Abbe Road to state Route 57 and then proceed west to the intersection with state Route 113.

The procession will then turn south on Lorain Boulevard and then turn onto Lake Avenue.

The procession will then head south on Lake Avenue pausing at the Elyria Police Department at 18 West Ave. before turning east onto Broad Street.

The procession will then head north on East Bridge Street to Cleveland Street and then take Cleveland Street to state Route 57.

The procession will then head back to North Abbe Road and head north until Detroit Road.

The procession will then head east on Detroit Road until it intersects with state Route 83.

The procession will head south along Route 83 to the cemetery.

Times for when the funeral procession will travel have not been announced.

Check back at www.chroniclet.com for more details or see Friday’s Chronicle.