HUMBOLDT COUNTY - On November. 2, 2020, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies served three search warrants to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the greater Humboldt Bay area. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Humboldt County Code Enforcement assisted in the service of the warrants.

Three parcels that did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially were investigated.  The parcels were located on Dolly Varden Road in Blue Lake, Anderson Avenue in McKinleyville and Pomeroy Hollow Road in Eureka.

During the service of the warrants, deputies eradicated approximately 1,149 growing cannabis plants., and seized and destroyed more than 527 pounds of processed cannabis and approximately 130 pounds of cannabis shake.

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• One water diversion violation (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)

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

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

“Illegal cannabis operations can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment and surrounding communities,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “In addition, they work in competition against licensed operations and skip out on regulated quality control.”