Large Meth-Herion seizure

On 3/6/14, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Humboldt County Drug Task Force (H.C.D.T.F.). Agents, assisted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant at an apartment on Lawndale Court in Fortuna. Agents had obtained a search warrant for the apartment and two vehicles belonging to the two listed suspects on the warrant. Prior to service of the warrant, H.C.D.T.F. Agents saw one of the listed suspects, who was later identified as Laurenco Carbajal Licano, 24 years old from Hildago, Mexico, leave the apartment and drive a short distance to a local shopping center. Agents watched the suspect vehicle drive into the parking lot of the shopping center and meet another male subject, later identified as James Edward Stark, 56 years old from Fortuna. The two met briefly and spoke. Agents then watched Stark walk away on foot from Licano. A deputy driving a marked Sheriff’s Patrol car initiated traffic stop on the Licano as it left the shopping center.  Licano was detained while Agents conducted a search of his vehicle. The search revealed several ounces of methamphetamine and heroin packaged for sales. These items were found in hidden compartments in the vehicle. Stark was also contacted by Agents as he walked away and through the shopping center. Stark was interviewed and searched. Agents located approximately ¼ gram of Heroin in Stark’s pocket. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Licano was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession for sale of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of illicit drugs, possession for sale of illicit drugs, transportation of illicit drugs, driving unlicensed and having a false compartment to transport drugs. Licano and Stark were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional facility where they were booked. Stark told Agents that he swallowed six grams of Heroin just prior to their contacting him. Stark is being observed by medical personnel in the Correctional Facility. Stark’s bail was set at $25,000.00. Licona’s bail was set at $50,000.00.

The second male subject listed on the warrant was not located during the search and further investigation will be conducted to locate that suspect. 

The search of the Lawndale apartment was then conducted and DTF Agents discovered large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin packaged for sales. They found scales, packaging material and two pounds of marijuana bud, along with $18,200.00 in cash. In total, over one pound, two ounces of Crystal Methamphetamine was seized and over a 1/2 pound of Heroin was seized during the service of this warrant. 

The estimated whole value of the methamphetamine seized is $21,400.00 dollars. The estimated wholesale value of the Heroin sized is approximately $10,000.00     

            The 2010 Chevy Camero that Licano was driving was seized by Agents for Asset Forfeiture proceedings.

            Anyone with information for the Humboldt County Drug Task Force can call 707-444-8095. If you live in the City Limits of Eureka the Eureka Police Problem Oriented Policing Unit can be reached at 707-441-4373