DINSMORE - On March 31, 2021, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife served a search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the Dinsmore area.

Two parcels that did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially were investigated.

During the service of the warrant, approximately 6,605 growing cannabis plants were eradicated and more than $99,000 were seized pursuant to asset forfeiture proceedings.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife found:

• Five water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Four water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)

Sheriff’s deputies will be requesting an arrest warrant be issued by the District Attorney’s Office for the individual responsible for this operation. This individual is believed to be responsible for multiple illegal cultivation operations, including those investigated last week in the Buck Mountain and Blocksburg areas.

“Illegal cultivation of cannabis often leads to actions that harm our water, soil, and environment,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “In addition, it often impacts the quality of life for the surrounding community and works against those cultivators who have acquired the proper permits and licenses.”