“Targeting illegal marijuana operations is imperative to public and environmental safety, and is necessary to protect consumers and those grow operations that have the proper permits and licenses.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
MENDOCINO COUNTY – On September 21-25, 2024, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance from local, state and federal law enforcement partners, served numerous warrants at unlicensed cannabis sites in the Round Valley area.
Law enforcement officers identified numerous illegal grow sites operating without the necessary permits to legally cultivate marijuana in accordance with state laws. These operations not only violate state law, but also pose risks to public safety, environmental integrity, and the health of the overall community.
Sixteen locations were targeted during the week-long operation, with the majority of locations being in the greater Covelo area and one site in the Mendocino National Forrest. Investigators located and identified numerous water diversions and extremely dangerous pesticides near local waterways. Some of the pesticides being used are banned in the United States.
As a result of the search warrants, law enforcement officers seized:
- 30,482 marijuana plants,
- 23,246 pounds of processed marijuana for the purpose of sales,
- six firearms,
- one pound of psilocybin mushrooms,
- and $132,010.00 in U.S. Currency.
Reports will be forwarded to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office requesting formal charging of several individuals as a result of these investigations.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office thanked the following agencies for their efforts during these operations:
- Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office,
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife and their environmental impact team,
- California State Waterboard,
- E.P.I.C. (Eradication Prevention of Illicit Cannabis Team – formerly known as C.A.M.P),
- California Department of Justice (DOJ),
- and the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force.
