MENDOCINO COUNTY –  Three people in the rural, Mendocino County community  of Laytonville were arrested on drug and firearms charges March 1, 2016, following a search warrant executed by the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force, County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Justice.

When deputies, wardens and agents entered a home on Fisherman Drive in Laytonville, suspect Nicolas Scarberry was seen to have a handgun in his waistband  and failed to follow verbal commands given by the law enforcement officers, according to a Mendocino County Sheriff’s press release.  Deputies then deployed K-9 “Ruddick” at which time Scarberry was taken into custody  without injury to the K-9 or law enforcement officers. It was later determined that Scarberry was in possession of a loaded handgun, according to the press release.

During a search of the property, the law enforcement team found more than 100 pounds of processed marijuana, an active hash oil lab, processed hash oil, more than 1,000 butane canisters, a small amount of heroin, numerous prohibited firearms and bullet resistant body armor.

“The situation that these law enforcement officers were in was a dangerous one,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Apprehending an armed suspect and entering an active hash oil lab is a huge threat to their safety. “

In addition to Scarberry, there were two other men at the scene.  Johnathan French and Armando Quiroga were arrested for the manufacturing of hash oil and committing or attempting a crime while armed with a firearm.

Scarberry was arrested for possession of hash oil, possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing hash oil, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, felon in possession of body armor and being in possession of prohibited weapons.  Scarberry was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $100,000.00 bail.

The  Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has received information that Scarberry may have been involved in the commission of numerous thefts while posing as a law enforcement official and is asking for the public’s help, should anyone have any information regarding this potential activity. Contact the Sheriff’s Office tip line by calling 707-234-2100 or emailing crimetip@mendocinosheriff.com .