On May 6, 2021, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served multiple search warrants to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the Rancho Sequoia and Dobbyn Creek areas. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Environmental Health - HazMat Unit and Humboldt County Code Enforcement assisted in the service of the warrants.

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

During the service of the warrant in the Dobbyn Creek area, deputies eradicated approximately 1,200 growing cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed over 171.5 pounds of cannabis bud, approximately 123 pounds of processed cannabis and approximately 454 pounds of cannabis shake.

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• Five water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation), three of which were substantial instances of water diversion.
• Two water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)

During the service of the warrants in the Rancho Sequoia area, deputies eradicated approximately 4,334 growing cannabis plants.

Assisting agencies found five environmental violations including water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation) and depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (up to $20,000 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.

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.