National Guard and DEA Joins Mendocino Sheriff and Other Agencies in Raid on Covelo Marijuana Grow

Military helicopter

National Guard helicopter in Covelo on Wednesday. [Photo provided by a reader]

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

On June 24, 2020 the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force, Mendocino County Probation, the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the California National Guard Counter-Drug Task Force Unit/High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) members, and the Round Valley Indian Tribal Police Department served two search warrants in the 77200 Block of Crawford Road in Covelo on adjoining properties. The warrants were issued for the properties based upon probable cause showing the illegal cultivation of commercial marijuana. At the location 8 persons were detained on site with one having fled the scene. An observation helicopter spotted the fleeing person who entered a white SUV, a short distance away, and a high risk car stopped was initiated, and three more persons were detained.

The investigation found a total of 14,383 growing marijuana plants, ranging in height from 1 foot to 6 feet, being grown in an open field and in 32 “hoop” style green houses. An estimated 1754 pounds of drying marijuana bud and two firearms were also discovered, a shotgun and an AR15 style assault weapon. During the investigation officers were contacted by Douglas Lincoln, 63 years of age from Covelo, who claimed responsibility for 1 portion of this growing operation. Also detained were suspects; Jorge Sanchez-Zamora, 19 years of age, from Michoacan Mexico, Jose Humberto Barragan-Leon, 36 years of age, from Modesto CA, Sergio Faria-Silva, 34 years of age, from Michoacan Mexico, Anthony David Soto-Farias, 18 years of age, from Vancouver WA, Dagoberto Rumbo-Coria, 58 years of age, from Michoacan Mexico, Alfonso Castaneda, 21 years of age, from Galt CA and Victor Alfonso Garcia-Lopez, 31 years of age, from Galt CA.

Three persons were determined to not be involved in the criminal activity and one 17 year old Hispanic female was found to have been transported to the location the day prior and dropped off to “help trim marijuana”. This person was taken into protective custody as she knew no one on the property and had no relatives nearby who could assure her safety. She was transferred to the custody of the Mendocino County Child Protective Services Department until she could be reunited with her family. An investigation was initiated into the possibility of any sex or labor trafficking of this minor.

Located on the second, adjacent, property were two “hoop” style greenhouses containing 765 growing marijuana plants. This marijuana was also eradicated and no suspects were located at this location.

This incident is under investigation and a complaint will be filed with the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office for a review of the listed charges against the listed suspects. Anyone with additional information about these marijuana growing operations is encouraged to contact the MCSO Tip line at 707-234-2100.

82(a)(1)  [Conspiracy]
30605 PC [Possess Assault Weapon]
11361 H&S [Hire/employ minor prepare marijuana for sale]
11358 H&S [Cultivate Marijuana]
11359 H&S [Possess Marijuana for Sale]
300 WIC [Protective Custody of a Minor]

Earlier Chapter: Marijuana Raid in Covelo Yesterday Found 17-Year-Old Girl, a Possible Victim of Human Trafficking, Said MCSO

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19 Comments
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Froggy
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Froggy
3 years ago

Wait the national guard’s helping bust marijuana grows but not helping in other parts of the world where their help is actually needed to right now Jesus Christ

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago
Reply to  Froggy

The national Guard is not a world police force.
Chicago could sure use their help though.

Black Rifles Matter
Guest
Black Rifles Matter
3 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

Chicago doesn’t deserve their help.

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago

Just Michoacan Mexico sending us a few more Dreamers!
The 17 year old is most likely paying off her traffickers for bringing her across the border.

Legallettuce
Guest
Legallettuce
3 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

The US Citizen, Doug, should know.

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago

Shame on Trump trying to keep them out.

Uncle Slayton
Guest
Uncle Slayton
3 years ago

Any good taco trucks in Covelo these days?

Toplel
Guest
Toplel
3 years ago
Reply to  Uncle Slayton

Not anymore lmao

Laytonvillain
Guest
Laytonvillain
3 years ago

I like this press release a lot it gets into more detail than just the usual plant numbers. Like, what size plants are we talking about? I appreciate them letting us know.

I also appreciate people who continue to cultivate huge amounts out in the open and take so much of law enforcement’s attention and time away from the rest of us.

Namaste!

No worries prohibition is over!!!!
Guest
No worries prohibition is over!!!!
3 years ago

Yep let the cowboys take the heat off the long time local mom and pops who are trying to avoid the government theivery and extortion!!!!! Its time to remember the old ways again, crawling through manzanita and poison oak has become a thing again. Reminds me of my youth!!!!! Defund the police

Namaste
Guest
Namaste
3 years ago

Happy eradication season everyone!

SNaFU
Guest
SNaFU
3 years ago

Next stop….Trinity Pines

Karl Verick
Guest
Karl Verick
3 years ago
Reply to  SNaFU

Trinity Pines?
I thought that was my moth eaten sweater.

Hadtocomment
Guest
Hadtocomment
3 years ago
Reply to  SNaFU

BOHICA!

Hadtocomment
Guest
Hadtocomment
3 years ago
Reply to  Hadtocomment

😄 BOHICA!

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
3 years ago
Reply to  SNaFU

LOL! For whatever reason, they will never bust that gross ass shit hole of a grow neighborhood.

David Martin
Guest
David Martin
3 years ago

I would prefer that the Sheriff not expend Mendocino County resources inside a “sovereign” reservation that does not pay property or sales tax to support the County. Law enforcement within the reservation is the responsibility of tribal police and the feds.

John Jackson
Guest
John Jackson
3 years ago
Reply to  David Martin

He is keeping the inable drug of marijuana out of your community, which just may save lives of young people who think the short term use is harmless until they overdose on it or stronger drugs that it leads to. I have stood by and watched parents fall apart when they find their kid is over the edge. JJ

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