Another marijuana bust, more out of towners, more environmental violations

On 07-17-2014, at approximately 8 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office assisted by Cal Fire Law Enforcement served several search warrants in the Burr Valley area. The following is a summary of what deputies located at different locations:

Location Number 1: 113 growing marijuana plants ranging in height from 1’ to 7’ tall, along with a loaded 20 gauge shotgun. One male suspect was identified, who is on formal probation. Deputies will be seeking criminal charges for cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana, violation of probation, possession of a loaded firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Location Number 2:  881 growing marijuana plants being grown in 13 green houses. The plants ranged in size from 2’ to 6’ tall and approximately 58 lbs of drying marijuana. Deputies located a 250 gallon diesel tank within thirty feet of a stream, with no spill protections. Cal Fire also located two areas of land conversion with unpermitted take of Oak and Douglas Fir. Six suspects, one female and five males, all from Florida have been identified. All the suspects were from Florida and told the deputies they spend the summer in Humboldt County on the parcel and winter in Florida. Deputies will be seeking criminal charges for cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana. Cal- Fire will be seeking criminal charges for criminal violations of the Public Resource Code.  Additionally the case is being forwarded to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board for potential violations of the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.

Location Number 3:  891 growing marijuana plants were located ranging in height from 5’ to 6’, along with 393 pounds of drying marijuana and 8 pounds of marijuana bud packaged in one pound bags. Seven suspects, three males and four females have been identified and criminal charges are being sought for cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana. Officers also located an unpermitted road built into a stream bed. Cal Fire will be seeking criminal charges for violations of the Public Resource Code.


Location Number 4: 890 growing marijuana plants ranging in size from 5’ to 6’. The marijuana was being grown in several greenhouses. Deputies also located a large pond dug into the ground and stream diversion.  One male suspect from Las Vegas has been identified and charges are being sought for cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana. The case is being forwarded to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board for potential violations of the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.

Location Number 5: 150 growing marijuana plants ranging in size from 5’ to 6’ tall were located, all growing outdoors, approximately 120 pounds of processed marijuana, a butane hash lab and hash was also located. Two suspects have been identified, a male and a female. Arrest warrants are being sought for cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana.

Location Number 6:  1237 growing marijuana plants ranging in size from 2’ to 5’ tall, all located in five greenhouses. No suspects have been identified at this location at this time, the investigation is continuing.