[Update 3 p.m.] Raid in Rio Dell, Man Arrested for Operating Honey Oil Lab

A search warrant was served on the 300 block of 1st Avenue in Rio Dell this morning between 8 and 8:30 a.m., Rio Dell Police Chief Graham Hill confirmed.  “This was the result of an ongoing investigation into drug activity,” Hill explained. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department including the Drug Task Force, Fortuna Police Department and Cal Fire assisted in the arrest.

Eric Wiley, age 35, was arrested for being a felon in possession of firearms as well as ammunition and of operating a honey oil lab. Hill said butane was found as well as a small marijuana grow.

In addition, one of the firearms was stolen out of Oregon, Hill alleged.

Update 3 p.m.: This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and the individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

On Thursday, August 13, 2105 at 8:30 a.m. the County Drug Task Force assisted by the Rio Dell Police Department and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team served a search warrant at a residence located in the 350 block of First Avenue, Rio Dell. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was utilized in this search warrant, because of information received by Law Enforcement that the suspect, Eric David Wiley was armed and possibly in possession of an explosive device.

SWAT team members surrounded the residence and announced over a loud speaker for Wiley to exit the residence with his hand up. Wiley complied with the commands and exited the residence and was detained without incident. Officers then served the search warrant at the residence.

Officers located (3) handguns and (1) rifle in the residence along with numerous boxes of ammunition. One of the handguns located was reported stolen out of Medford, Oregon. Officers located 247 growing marijuana plants and 3 pounds of drying process marijuana. Officers located a usable amount of heroin along with a butane marijuana hash lab. Officers did not locate any explosive devices in the residence.

Officers arrested Eric David Wiley age 35(aka Batman) of Rio Dell for the following charges: Convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession ammunition, manufacturing of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property. Wiley was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka. Wiley’s bail was set at $500,000 dollars.

Anyone with information for the Humboldt County Drug Task Force Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force Office at 707-444-8095.