Dinsmore marijuana bust; investigation into possible environmental crimes

On 06-24-2014, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies assisted by the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, served a Humboldt County Superior Court Search Warrant on a residence in the 42000 block of Highway 36, Dinsmore. When deputies arrived they located and detained four people. They were identified as Andre Kenneth Dodman-Hanwright, 35 years old, a transient and Angel Antonia Glodo, 29 years old, Ivan Stefano Debiase Jr, 27 years old , and Ivan Stefano Debiase Sr., 49 years old, all from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  The suspects told the deputies they moved into the area a few years ago to grow and sell marijuana.

When deputies searched the property and residence they located a Hash lab,  total of 2123 growing marijuana plants ranging in size from 2” to 4’ tall, approximately 15 pounds of processed marijuana, approximately $2,200.00 cash and approximately 3 pounds of concentrated cannabis.  Deputies also saw environmental damage consisting of trees being cut, wetland and habitat destruction for a holding pond and water diversion from a tributary of the Van Duzen River to water tanks for the marijuana grow. There were also signs of unpermitted clearings on the property by heavy equipment.

 California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Cal-Fire was notified of the possible environmental crimes.  A California Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden responded to the scene. The warden advised additional charges for violations of 1600 of the Fish and Game Code will be sought for illegal water diversion. The warden also saw signs of potential illegal taking of wildlife which are being investigated.

Cal-Fire told the Investigating Deputy they will be investigating for possible other environmental crimes, but did not have any investigators immediately available to respond.

 All four suspects were arrested for possession and possession for sale of marijuana, possession of concentrated cannabis and manufacturing of drugs. They were transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Their bail is set at $500,000.00 each.