HUMBOLDT COUNTY - On January 10, 2019, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) assisted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit with serving a search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation and extraction at a property in Samoa.
The parcel investigated did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate or extract cannabis commercially.
During the service of the warrant, law enforcement officers located a substantial indoor cannabis cultivation operation and multiple butane honey oil (BHO) labs. Law enforcement officers eradicated approximately 991 growing cannabis plants, and seized seized and destroyed approximately 8,479 pounds of cannabis trim, 277 pounds of cannabis bud and 26.5 pounds of concentrated cannabis (BHO). Officers also located and seized more than $13,000 in cash.
The following violations were found:
- Failure to submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (up to $5,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Unauthorized storage of hazardous waste (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Failure to prevent a hazardous waste release (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Failure to make a hazardous waste determination (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
- No EPA ID number (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Mismanagement of lead acid batteries (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Unpermitted cannabis operations
- Development within coastal zone without permit(s)
- Building/property use or operation in violation of zoning code
- Construction of building/structure in violation of building, plumbing and/or electrical codes
Additional violations with civil fines are expected to be filed by the assisting agencies.
Phillip Morgan Likos, 36, was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance.
