Once Again Law Enforcement Staged Near Garberville

Capture

Island Mountain is located roughly east of Piercy near the intersection of Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino Counties.

This morning, at approximately 6:15, seven law enforcement vehicles were gathered near the Renner’s Station in Garberville. Yesterday morning there was a similar gathering. We have a request for more information into the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Since Monday, an unusually large force of Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt County sheriff’s deputies as well as representatives from multiple other agencies concerned with water and other environmental issues have been active in the Island Mountain area. We don’t know yet if this morning’s gathering is part of the same raids.

As of 7:15, we received reports from locals that there are six or seven Humboldt County Sheriff’s vehicles headed up towards Island Mountain from the Humboldt County side towards D Road.

A community leader who prefers to be anonymous contacted RB this morning saying, “Richard Marks raised a good question “where is the funding coming from?”… They are putting some serious OT in on this “operation ” and I drove through Garberville today and [saw] three bums sleeping on the streets… .”

Other individuals are hoping that marijuana gardens damaging to the environment are being targeted.

UPDATE 9:01 a.m.: KMUD has reports of water tanks emptied and more here. 

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at a loss
Guest
at a loss
8 years ago

Marks is just trying to divert attention from himself. Enough with the environmental damage. Soon we will have no fish because rivers are sucked dry or polluted by grows and other wildlife are being driven out, poisoned or poached on the spot. The environment that we live in belongs to all of us and with these massive grows they are doing as much damage as those accused of leaving carbon foot prints. Mr. marks & crew the laws apply to you as they do to everyone else. If you’re going to claim that growers need to be vigilant environmentalists shouldn’t you practice what you preach?

Just Wondering
Guest
Just Wondering
8 years ago
Reply to  at a loss

According to the KMUD News at least some of these people were practicing good environmental methods and were working with the authorities to do the right thing. The coppers are using the info they get from these “partners” to bust them and destroy their farms and environmentally damage the grows.
http://kmud.org/programs-mainmenu-11/kmud-audio-archive.html

Just Wondering
Guest
Just Wondering
8 years ago

As I asked before; I am wondering it any Measure Z funds were used or if Measure Z freed up money that was used for this raid. We were told that Measure Z was for
Measure Z can provide the funds necessary for expanding patrols, maintaining emergency 9-1-1 response times, and making sure calls about violent or property crimes are responded to promptly.

Our residents deserve to know that County Sheriffs will be there when they need them – 24 hours a day.

Also, volunteer fire departments and firefighters play critical roles in protecting life and property here in Humboldt County. Additional resources will help maintain rural fire and ambulance protection services, allowing our first responders to better – and more safely – protect County residents.

Answerplus
Guest
Answerplus
8 years ago
Reply to  Just Wondering

Measure Z funding is not available until July 1st. Sheriff Downey has said Measure Z funding will be used for cannabis supression as the Ballot language allows. Overtime for Sheriff department workers is huge and for 30 years this is their money pit. Check out http://transparentcalifornia.com/salaries/search/?a=humboldt-county&q=Sheriff&y=2013.

Discussed!
Guest
Discussed!
8 years ago

I don’t know why the criminals are so concerned with the funding, but worry not….it’s Ferderally funded!! Feel better now?! Let’s not all forget, federal law supersedes state law, not only that but the quantities they are raiding out there far surpass 215 allowances. So what are they all wining about?! Not to mention the environmental devastation they are all inflicting! Last but no least why are the cops cast in a negotive light on these situations?! How did our community/society become so twisted that criminals are the victims?! It’s infuriating!

chek urself
Guest
chek urself
8 years ago
Reply to  Discussed!

Actually federal funding was cut a few months back for marijuana busts in states that have any kind of medical/recreational laws in place. The dea got in truble for continuing busts after ignoring the DOJ rule, & I dont see DEA in the list of agencies. If you have some proof that the sheriffs are getting federal funds please post it. The feds tend to exclude local agencies when here, ie Buddhaville. Infuriating? The infuriating thing really is the violation of civil rights, which by the way is granted us as citizens not some bleeding heart thing. Even if someone is a criminal they have rights. Targeting certain folks who speak out is not right. I would imagine that if they found some horrible water diversion we would be seeing pictures this morning. My guess is you live in town and have never experienced the cops coming onto your property with guns on your kids, assuming you are violent. The big issue here is why they are going to these specific landowners. We are going to have to deal with legalization one way or another, & targeting folks doing the right thing wont help anyone. Basically this may be the last year the cops will be able to do big seizures of property, cars, jewelry, whatever they can auction. I saw a cop show from Virginia & the cameraman asked why they were only at pot&cocaine busts instead of meth. To the cops credit he said these dealers have money and we need the funds.

Ron
Guest
Ron
8 years ago
Reply to  chek urself

So if I need a building permit to add a deck to my house it’s these fools rights? To illegally grade, build ,divert water and store fuel and chemicals?

Some of you people are hilarious. “Where did this money come from…”
Blah blah blah. Bottom line if they want to “comply” then come full with it. But in case no one realized it is actually illegal what they are doing and when you break the law you pay the price or or or if it was legal everybody would be doing it and you my friend would need to get a job.
Can’t have it both ways.

:)
Guest
:)
8 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Actually have 2 jobs same as when I grew herb, as I dont believe in huge grows damaging things, I didnt grow huge. I am very concerned about bad land practices. I think all crops ought to have the same rules across the board- are f&g going to the vineyards to check on potential violations? Indoor grows?
As far as big ag is concerned, our local multi acre grows are considered micro grows
Yes people should be held to safe storage of chemicals, etc. This does not seem to be the focus of the police in this case. Targeting certain individuals seems to be.
I would like to hear an interview with the folks who have been going out with f&g to parcels & helping land owners get their water sitch permitted. The grapevine says a lot of those targeted here had gone thru that process. So by targeting those in compliance, it makes it so no one will try to get permitted for fear of being targeted. It’s like you getting a building permit for your deck & then having authorities come make you tear it down for not following the rules.
Prop 215 deemed medical pot legal. Yes that has been abused but the authorities never gave a size/plant amount that was across the board clearly defined, nor was it designated whom ought to determine the criteria. Our DA tried, & think of all sheriff allman went thru to set up a workable taxable system only to have the feds come shut it down.
Most of all I appreciate having this forum to discuss things so thank you for engaging. We may not see eye to eye but I hope we can all be open to hear one another & hopefully find workable solutions.

Fred m
Guest
Fred m
8 years ago

Why do you say this is federally funded? And even if the general fund has some federal contribution the argument is that the community would rather see the money spent on other higher priority issues, like hard drugs and homelessness issues.

As far as these raids it will be interesting to see what becomes of this and get some details, but I have a feeling the cops made such a load approach that all the people would scatter and they could do what they want. Cut seize etc… They don’t want to make arrests because people would then challenge the warrants.

How did they get the warrants? Hansen said greenhouses were the target, so since they are covered up Hansen would need a warrant based on some other form of probable cause. Fish and game violation? This would really set back fish and game and the water boards pilot project where they have been doing inspections and trying to get people to voluntarily comply with regulation and get permits, not come in with armored vehicles and cut every thing and move to the next. We’ll see but this could be a major set back for fish and game, basically putting them right in line with the sheriffs not thinking about what the community who pays their salary wants or doing what is best for the environment.

yaya
Guest
yaya
8 years ago
Reply to  Fred m

Well put. Its important to go after folks harming the environment (where were they when Maxxam owned PL was decimating our resources?!?) but is hard to see these guys out there when we have what, 2 wardens to patrol our whole county? Poaching of fish & other critters hurts our economy and wild areas. The slough off myrtle ave by 3 corners in No Hum always has dumped fish heads, and f&g said there was nowhere to mount a camera to catch the people so they couldn’t do anything.

Disgusted!
Guest
Disgusted!
8 years ago
Reply to  Fred m

This is where the Fed’s want the money spend. They determine how their funds are allocated, not the “community”. And of course your so called community, would rather the funds be spent elsewhere, they don’t want their illegal activity disrupted. Because taxes fund government agency salary doesn’t mean the “community” gets any say in how they do their job. Further more, the growers, who are DESTROYING the environment, don’t pay taxes on their $100,000’s-$1,000,000’s of dollars they make, illegally every year anyway. They rape and pillage this beautiful area making it dangerous for the real community to enjoy. This is the risk you take. Quit whining about it and get a real job, pay taxes, and contribute to society instead of the constant drain and depravity caused buy your ridiculous life choices.

psycho john
Guest
psycho john
8 years ago

many many angry byrdes……

Don
Guest
Don
8 years ago

You can’t permit ignorance now can you CCCV?????

What a joke, you people need to comply. Don’t mind what we are doing!!!!

Humboldt
Guest
Humboldt
8 years ago

Get em all, then mabye the shit will be worth some real money again.

☆★☆★
Guest
☆★☆★
8 years ago

Perfect timing for this article to come out on police seizures of property….
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7647028

chek it
Guest
chek it
8 years ago

Actually federal funding was cut a few months back for marijuana busts in states that have any kind of medical/recreational laws in place. The dea got in truble for continuing busts after ignoring the DOJ rule, & I dont see DEA in the list of agencies. If you have some proof that the sheriffs are getting federal funds please post it. The feds tend to exclude local agencies when here, ie Buddhaville. Infuriating? The infuriating thing really is the violation of civil rights, which by the way is granted us as citizens not some bleeding heart thing. Even if someone is a criminal they have rights. Targeting certain folks who speak out is not right. I would imagine that if they found some horrible water diversion we would be seeing pictures this morning. My guess is you live in town and have never experienced the cops coming onto your property with guns on your kids, assuming you are violent. The big issue here is why they are going to these specific landowners. We are going to have to deal with legalization one way or another, & targeting folks doing the right thing wont help anyone. Basically this may be the last year the cops will be able to do big seizures of property, cars, jewelry, whatever they can auction. I saw a cop show from Virginia & the cameraman asked why they were only at pot&cocaine busts instead of meth. To the cops credit he said these dealers have money and we need the funds.

Torpedo
Guest
Torpedo
8 years ago
Reply to  chek it

upvote

Julia Carrera
Guest
8 years ago

Most likely, and has yet to be verified, the funding came from a state grant to fund the state major crimes task forces for 3 years, starting in 2015, which includes environmental task forces. I believe this is a state operation, but have not verified this yet.

silverlining
Guest
silverlining
8 years ago

Thanks for that KMUD update. Really obvious that the Sheriff had his pants down with the whole we are only here to protect the environment. Water tanks got emptied? Duh,…a duh,….I don’t know what you are talking about. There is this other guy but you know,..he is unavailable right now. Dur,……….

Fred M
Guest
Fred M
8 years ago

Lets get this straightened out…. I am in now way saying that IF these people are causing serious environmental damage law enforcement should turn a blind eye. What I am saying, is that after listening to the interviews with wayne hansen, he did not say these people were targeted for environmental crimes, he said they were targeted for cultivation, and he expects to find environmental crimes. Now if there are how ever many commercial grows in the county, and law enforcement only has enough money to eradicate some of them, then why not go after the gross environmental violators, AND to use the EXCUSE that these people are damaging the environment with out any evidence, and going in to promote his cause (as much eradication as possible) is going to hurt the fish and game and water board pilot project that is trying to convince people to get on board to avoid this kind of thing.

to “Discusted!” — What you don’t think the civil servants of our community (paid by taxes) should act in the way that the community supports and betters that community? Sit down and think for a minute… I bet you might change your mind, pretty sure the reason we all pay taxes is to benefit the community as a whole, but maybe I’m way off base??

Torpedo
Guest
Torpedo
8 years ago
Reply to  Fred M

OK . Question. How do 5000 grows appear in Humboldt Co WITHOUT Cops turning a blind eye for years? This looks like a last chance raid by cops. They are telling environmental stories again. Obviously there is damage to environment. What about lumber industry or grape industry? How do they choose who to bust and for what? The silt from Maple creek is just as bad.