On Oct. 29, 2018, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) served one search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the Grouse Mountain area of Humboldt County. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Humboldt County Environmental Health and HAZMAT Unit and the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department assisted in the service of the warrant
Two parcels, located in the Grouse Creek watershed, were investigated during the service of the warrant. The parcels did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.
During the service of the warrant, deputies eradicated approximately 1,480 growing cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed over 4,057 pounds of processed cannabis and approximately 464 pounds of cannabis shake. Deputies also located and seized one firearm with a magazine.
Assisting agencies found the following violations between the two parcels:
- Two water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Three stream crossing violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Seven water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Three depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (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 violation (up to $5,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Improper storage and removal of solid waste violations (up to $25,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Commercial cannabis ordinance violations (up to $10,000 fine per day)
- Building without a permit violations (up to $10,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Grading without a permit violations (up to $10,000 fine per day, per violation)
- Streamside management violations
- Sewage violations
Additional violations with civil fines are expected to be filed by the assisting agencies.
No arrests were made during the service of the warrant. Additional violations with civil fines are expected to be filed by the assisting agencies.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.