A salinas man accused of taking part in a marijuana growing operation pleaded not guilty monday in a santa cruz county courtroom. 29-year-old ryan tate faces charges of drug cultivation and drug sales. He was arrested along with 2-other men, after santa cruz county sheriff’s deputies seized about 16-hundred plants from a property in Watsonville. Tate was released on bail following his plea hearing. The other 2 suspects are expected to be arraigned on april 11th.