On April 7, 2022, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served a search warrant to investigate a multi-parcel illegal cannabis cultivation operation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Humboldt County Code Enforcement assisted in the service of the warrant.

Three parcels were investigated during the service of the warrant. The parcels did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.

At the first parcel, located in the Blocksburg area, deputies eradicated approximately 2,080 growing cannabis plants. Assisting agencies located four environmental violations, including: water pollution, water diversion and depositing trash in or near a waterway. Investigating deputies also located instances of spilled oil seeping into the ground.

Oil spilled in front of garage, seeping into the ground.  Diesel spill inside the garage at the Blocksburg parcel	A large diesel tank located at the Blocksburg parcel,  fueling an illegal cannabis operation	Multiple electrical panels providing electricity to an indoor cannabis cultivation operation in Blocksburg
Indoor cannabis growing operation in Blocksburg.

At the second parcel, located in the Korbel area, deputies eradicated approximately 1,021 growing cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed over 121 pounds of processed cannabis. Additionally, assisting agencies located three environmental violations, including: water pollution, water diversion and depositing trash in or near a waterway.  

Cannabis drying at a cannabis cultivation operation in Korbel.	Tree burned by hot exhaust from  illegal cultivation activities in Korbel.	Large generator supplying power to illegal grow in Korbel.
Indoor cannabis cultivation operation in Korbel.

At the third parcel, a Fortuna residence, deputies located an indoor cannabis grow operation inside a garage on the property. While there, deputies eradicated approximately 336 growing cannabis plants.

Cannabis growing inside a Fortuna residence's garage.

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

Two suspects associated with this investigation have been identified. The case is being forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

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.

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