Several violations in MET operation near McClellan Mountain

(HCSO)

HCSO Press Release:

On June 7-8, 2023, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served a search warrant resulting from a month-long investigation into an illegal commercial cannabis cultivation operation in the McClellan Mountain area. Representatives with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Humboldt County DHHS Environmental Health – HazMat Unit and Humboldt County Code Enforcement assisted in the service of the warrant.

One parcel, located above Little Larabee Creek, was investigated during the service of the warrant. The parcel did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially. Upon deputies’ arrival to the property, multiple individuals fled into the surrounding wooded area.

During the search of the parcel, deputies located 13 large, multi-story grow houses being powered by 14 commercial-size generators. Over 200,000 gallons of diesel, used to power the generators, was found being improperly stored on the parcel in aboveground storage tanks. Nearby these tanks and generators, HazMat investigators documented evidence of fuel spills. Additionally, deputies observed numerous discarded burnt generators and evidence of small wildland fires, including torched trees, in close proximity to these grow houses.

Environmental scientists on scene located four man-made dams which had been placed in the Little Larabee Creek to supply the operation with water.

During the service of the warrant, deputies eradicated approximately 18,511 growing cannabis plants, destroyed over 1,370 pounds of processed cannabis and seized four firearms.

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

Nine water diversion/stream alteration violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation);

Two water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation);

Three depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation);

Failure to establish a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) (up to $5,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to report a release or threatened release of a hazardous material (up to $5,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to acquire an EPA ID number (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to prevent a hazardous waste release (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to properly dispose of universal waste batteries (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to make a hazardous waste determination (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to properly label hazardous waste (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Hazardous waste accumulation storage time exceeded (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to close hazardous waste containers (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Disposal of or causing the disposal of hazardous waste at an unauthorized point (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Disposal of used oil by discharge to sewers, drainage systems, surface water or groundwater, watercourses, or marine waters; by incineration or burning as fuel; or by deposit on land (up to $70,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to prepare a SPCC plan (up to $5,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to provide secondary containment for aboveground tanks (up to $5,000 per day, per violation);

Failure to obtain authorization for the storage of more than 1,320 gallons of petroleum.

Additional violations with civil fines are expected to be filed by the assisting agencies.

This case is still under investigation. No arrests were made during the service of the warrant. Upon completion of this investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review and charging decision.