Clueless Cannabis Criminals? Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Deputies Report Capturing Two Hapless Haulers
[Photo from the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department]
This is a press release from the Siskiyou 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:
Two U-Haul drivers were arrested for transporting illegal cannabis across state lines Tuesday evening following traffic stops made by Siskiyou County Sheriff Deputies.
On October 24th, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) received a tip that two U-Haul vehicles containing illegal cannabis were headed toward Siskiyou County from Jackson County, Oregon, and SCSO personnel were dispatched to search for the offending vehicles. Around 5:20 pm, an SCSO Sergeant noticed a large U-Haul matching the description heading southbound on Interstate 5 near Yreka. This vehicle then proceeded to cross over the fog line 8 times in a half-mile period, violating 21650(a) of the California Vehicle Code, and raising concerns that the driver could be impaired.
The Sergeant initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, Diana Cristal Cruz-Valdovinos, 31, of Stockton, California. As he approached, the Sergeant noticed a strong smell of cannabis emanating from the vehicle, and when asked about it, Cruz-Valdovinos stated that she had been paid $700 to transport a load of hemp. Since hemp transport permits are required when someone is legally transporting hemp across state lines, the driver was asked to present them, and she admitted she did not have such documentation.
With this revelation, the Sergeant contacted a member of the North State Major Investigation Team (NSMIT) to assist with the testing of the U-Haul’s contents. Cruz-Valdovinos then voluntarily opened the U-Haul trailer door for the Sergeant, revealing a massive pile of recently cut cannabis plants. The method of storage clearly indicated that whoever loaded the trailer was unfamiliar with the proper way to transport commercial hemp or legal cannabis, as the entire load was primed to mold.
Around 5:40 pm, an SCSO Deputy accompanying the Sergeant witnessed another U-Haul repeatedly failing to stay within its lane as it drove past them along I-5. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop on the U-Haul and immediately noticed the strong odor of cannabis permeating it. The driver, Angela Duarte Valdovinos, 54, of Palmdale, California provided the vehicle’s rental paperwork, identifying Cruz-Valdovinos of the first U-Haul as the rentee. Given this clear connection between the two vehicles and based on the totality of the circumstances, the deputy conducted a probable cause search of the U-Haul to reveal another large pile of cannabis plants.
Both drivers were arrested and given a court date for violating California Health and Safety Codes 11359(b) and 11360(a), which prohibits the possession of illegal cannabis for sale and the illegal transport of cannabis, respectively. The two rented U-Hauls along with their contents were taken as evidence by the SCSO. The illegal cannabis plants contained in the U-Haul were subsequently destroyed. A third vehicle was later stopped by Oregon State Police and tied to the two stopped by SCSO Deputies in California.
This operation’s success is thanks to assistance from the California Highway Patrol, Jackson County Marijuana Task Force, and the North State Major Investigation Team.
[Photo from the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department]
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That’s a catchy headline you’ve got there
That was a quick catch, too.
Accidently hit publish before I entered the title…
Figured as much.
Keep up the good work.
Probably ripped off weed. People that spent all year growing would almost never treat their weed that way!
First thought that came to mind when I saw the picture, hadn’t read the article yet.
That was my first thought.
Smells like a ripoff
Yeah that CA Agricultural Inspection Station will open up your trailer and then call ahead to CHP. I know somebody who lost a trailer full of starters this May. Rolling weed across state lines into CA is not smart…unless you know a back road w/ no inspection and you have the time and patience
Not staffed consistently since Covid~
We faced this issue coming out of AZ in the 90s. Agriculture Inspections can be dicey.
Stolen product.
Wow, just Wow!
Possibly the most moronic weed crime in history, and that’s really saying something. Feel sorry for whoever spent the effort to raise those plants, which would end up as compost at best, due to some idiotic ripoff.
And it seems likely to me that whoever stole the weed has never actually smoked it, otherwise they might know the difference between bud and leaves.
Hemp or cannabis?
Maybe they were just going to make some rope or cloth.
All those fields up in Oregon are Hemp.
Didn’t you get the memo?
Price of rope and hemp clothing must be in the decline then.
Sharp as a marble!
“This vehicle then proceeded to cross over the fog line 8 times in a half-mile period”
Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep a U-Haul in a straight line even when it’s empty?!
Yup. That’s all bullshit
They already stated that the law was informed about two u-Haul’s hauling weed south.
They were riding on borrowed Time!
The true owner prob called in a theft and the po po were waiting.
If you are stoned and don’t know how to drive
I bet these are the growers that voted to legalize. And trust the government with the goose that layed golden eggs. Subsequently putting all the entitled ones in the soup line
In the land where highways intertwine,
Three drivers set out with a secret design.
To transport their cargo, a load so green,
Across state lines, their faces unseen.
In the darkness of night, they embarked on their quest,
Through winding roads and valleys, they pressed.
Cannabis, their cargo, a treasure untold,
A risky endeavor, a story to be told.
Their tires whispered secrets on the asphalt’s embrace,
As they journeyed through the night, in this perilous race.
The law, a shadow, followed close behind,
As the drivers sped onward, a story to unwind.
But fate is a fickle, relentless old friend,
For it doesn’t care if your journey will end.
The blue lights appeared, flashing red and blue,
Their hearts skipped a beat, as fear quickly grew.
Sirens wailed as the officers approached,
In the dark of the night, their hopes reproached.
Handcuffs were fastened, a chapter was closed,
Three drivers arrested, their secret exposed.
that’s pretty impressive. hopefully your talent will be recognized during your living years
They are just amateur capitalists.
If that’s art to you, then fair is fair in any money game
Amateurs…
Seeing the photo explains a lot about times I’ve rented Uhauls from Ukiah… STINKY!!!!
If you’re going to be dumb you better be tough
Load would have been just fine in this cold weather if you had a place set up to hang it immediately on arrival. Too bad, sorry ladies.
Totally, I’m laughing at everyone saying it was ruined. A pain in the ass to sort and hang though lol, and trim considering the bottom half would be flattened
Why would CA need Oregon weed…? That’s some first class dumbassery right there…
The plant creates heat and burns the flower when you stack it up like that
It’s pretty clear, that weed is already full of mold. And it doesn’t look like it’s very good quality, really stringy. Maybe they really were transporting “hemp”, maybe to Mexico to make blankets and clothing!