HUMBOLDT COUNTY –  On May 26, 2020, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served a search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the Weitchpec area. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CalCannabis, Humboldt County Code Enforcement and Humboldt County Environmental Health and HAZMAT Unit assisted in the service of the warrant.

One parcel was investigated during the service of the warrant. The parcel did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.

During the service of the warrant, law enforcement officers eradicated approximately 18,690 growing cannabis plants and seized and destroyed approximately 818 pounds of cannabis bud.

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• Water diversion violation (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Water pollution violation (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Failure to label hazardous waste violation (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Failure to close hazardous waste containers violation (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Failure to report a hazardous materials release (up to $5,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Failure to prevent a hazardous waste release (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Improper storage and removal of solid waste violation (up to $25,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Commercial cannabis ordinance violation (up to $10,000 fine per day)
• Building without a permit violation (up to $10,000 fine per day, per violation)

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

“Cultivating cannabis without the proper permits and licenses is criminal activity,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.   “State and local law enforcement agencies have been very public about their enforcement and the charges and fines involved. The laws are in place to protect the public and the environment.”

No arrests were made during the service of the warrant. The case will be forwarded to the DA’s Office for review.