Multi-Agency Raid on Humboldt Cannabis Site Uncovers Far More Than Illegal Weed
This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty:
Seized weapons
On Feb. 26, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP), with assistance from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Cannabis Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, executed a search warrant at a cannabis cultivation operation [in the Fruitland Ridge area of Southern Humboldt] as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into stolen vehicles with altered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).
After securing the property, the Department of Cannabis Control found the site operating illegally. Investigators identified multiple environmental violations, including the unlawful diversion of water for the irrigation of the cannabis operation. Officers also found unpermitted structures used for cooking and habitation.
One mounted wolf seized as contraband by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Based on those findings, investigators obtained and executed a second search warrant.
Following service of the second warrant, officers seized the following items as evidence:
- 3,395 pounds of processed illicit cannabis
- One fully automatic AK-47 assault rifle
- One short-barreled shotgun
- Four pistols
- One rifle
- A stolen 2022 Polaris RZR
- Four VIN-switched stolen vehicles:
- 2025 Ford F-350 King Ranch (approximate value $90,000)
- 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 (approximate value $38,000)
- 2023 Cadillac Escalade (approximate value $67,000)
- 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss (approximate value $39,000)
- Hundreds of rounds of ammunition
- Counterfeit identification documents
- Cellular phones
- One mounted wolf seized as contraband by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Investigators also located a safe containing high-end jewelry and approximately $15,000 to $20,000 in U.S. currency within the residence and other structures. Authorities seized the property under asset forfeiture laws. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department will handle asset forfeiture proceedings in coordination with the CHP and the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office.
During the operation, investigators located three cannabis-processing workers at the site. Following further investigation, officers determined the individuals were likely victims of labor trafficking. Authorities provided the workers with information and support services from the Northern California Coalition to Safeguard Communities.
Seized vehicle
“This case highlights the evolving nature of organized criminal enterprises operating in our rural communities,” said CHP Northern Division Commander Chief John Pinoli. “What began as an investigation into stolen vehicles uncovered an illicit cannabis operation, illegal firearms, environmental crimes, and individuals who may have been exploited for labor. Our personnel and partner agencies remain committed to protecting the public, safeguarding natural resources, and holding those who profit from criminal activity accountable.”Prosecutors will file all criminal charges via complaint.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
Note: This press release was updated, and the location of the operation was added for clarity. The altered text is inside brackets.
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Sounds like at least three people are deserving of deportation.
Shallow.
Ever hear the one about what the guy running the scene did when busted on site? He pretended he was just one of the workers and couldn’t speak English…the cops let him walk away
Disgusting and negligent.
I was once working towards a BS in criminal justice which included a unit on Somatotyping.
According to britannica.com: “somatotype, … the discredited idea that human body shape and physique type are associated with personality traits”
The theory essentially purports that fat people (endomorphs) are “soft hearted,” tall thin people (ectomorphs) are “meek,” and well-proportioned people (mesomorphs) are “aggressive.”
It isn’t exactly racist, but I asked the professor why it was acceptable to profile people based on their appearance to make assumptions about personality traits. The professor said she didn’t see how personality traits were supposed to correspond to physical features in Somatotype Theory. I asked the professor if the term “soft hearted” (used in the textbook) referred to a cardiac condition? and dropped out, with a much better understanding of why cops have no clue what’s going on half the time… but confused as to why a disproven theory (somatotyping) was included in the curriculum of an accredited not-for-profit university (Southern New Hampshire University, online.)
I don’t believe that all cops are bastards, but they work within a system that renders them ineffective at best.
And the person who was keeping them there?! I say, deport that individual too!
I’ve worked with victims of human trafficking on a farm in Mendocino. They all WANTED TO GO HOME, but didn’t have the means to because they were being trafficked.
Nine times out of 10 in California it’s not a legal American that’s holding these people against their will. It’s the coyote or the organized crime members that brought them here in the first place..
Where do you get your facts from? I’d like to see them. I call b.s.
Guess you didn’t read the follow-up on the story huh..
And so…What did you do for them? What did YOU do? You were in a unique position to really help out some powerless victims so what did YOU do??
Yupppppppp back to Greece those fawkes go. sheriffs finally took down the Greek mafia out there. The pipeline of Greek immigrants coming down from Canada is insane!!!
This caliber of criminality and all of its many tentacles is in the category of what makes residing in or even just briefly visiting Humboldt County a choice that poses significant dangers to one’s health and wellbeing and endangers the community at large.
Your statement would have us believe crime happens nowhere else but Humboldt. Ridiculous.
Meanwhile…
—
Humboldt County, California, has a reputation for being relatively dangerous, with violent crime rates, particularly in areas like Eureka and Arcata, that often exceed state averages.
While known for beautiful, isolated landscapes, the area faces challenges including high rates of property crime, drug-related issues, homelessness, and, in some remote areas, risks associated with illegal, unregulated, or illicit, unpermitted dope cultivation.
Like, how many tourist just HAD to gingerly tiptoe through that “unpermitted dope cultivation”? Worst thing was all the shitty GM products floating around. If they hadn’t been stolen they’d be getting new engines at the dealership. They did the owners a favor. GM is ripping off Americans at a much greater scale. Coyote? Is CDFW going after cattle ranchers who hang coyotes on the fences? Weed is only illegal by measures that are cool in any other sector of the economy.
Attempting to normalize any of the many deadly sicknesses long afflicting Humboldt County is a tactic that has been intensively used for decades and decades (to this day) and only serves to make our communities sicker.
I don’t know where you’re getting that from…
As of 2007 more than half the global population resides in urban areas which presumably have a law enforcement presence. Humboldt county has a population density of 37 people per square mile. Statistically speaking, most people who come here are unaccustomed to spending time in a county that has so much human activity in the rural areas. The particular part of Humboldt where I live has a population density of just 2 people per square mile. There’s not a great way to prepare for “no man’s land,” inherent risks are mitigated by mindfulness, integrity, and maybe a personal firearm.
That said, I feel much less safe in LA than in Humboldt. It’s not the land that makes a place dangerous, it’s the people. Sometimes people who are especially dangerous seek out secluded areas like Humboldt to do crime… on the other hand there are so few people here overall, that it’s pretty easy to avoid most of them and retain a safe environment—you just have to be cool with solitude and self-sufficiency.
Immigration status?
No person is illegal on stolen land
modern societies run on laws.
….you just regurgitated a narrative that is being spoon fed to you. All land has been acquired in one way or another by what you would deem “stolen”. And i know what im about to say has already been said about that statement but thats just because its the simplilest most logical thought anyone could have after hearing that statement. But, by that reasoning your suggesting that I or anyone could go to your house and start living there. Or I could be more respectful and not live in the house but build a house right next to yours on what you consider your property which i guess isnt your property since its stolen land. But, I wouldn’t be illegally there, it’s stolen land, remember? I dont know you but I can already get a good understanding of your mindset. Its just a copy of a copy. A copy that feels its not a copy. A true social copier…i.mean social warrior.
Look, human trafficking is a thing. It sucks. I feel it’s blown out if proportion though. I, from personal experience have worked with illegal migrants. I didnt get my own citizenship till I was 23, and i can gurantee to you that in order to get in less trouble they will pull the human trafficking card, or how about this: the cops know that immigration is a hot issue so saying they found people being exploited for labor gets them a win with the social warriors. I know that immigrants know that a lot of people in America have soft spots for migrants. And im not making this up, they will use that to their advantage and put on an act in order to get sympathy. They aint dumb. They know americans now a days are suckers for sob immigration stories. And im not saying your dumb for having a heart. Thats wonderful, we need kind heartedness in the world but i just want for the people fighting and protesting these things to understand that they only see the surface. I know I’m way off topic of what the article is about, but whenever I hear or read no one is illegal on stolen land, i want to grab the people regurgitating that and tell them they have been brainwashed. And im not a MAGA. Im a person with a lot of life experience…like a lot that trys to see everything for what it really is without letting my emotions cloud my judgement.
Not stolen.. Conquered land. There was a fight, one side lost, the other side won.
really? – you clearly have no idea about the indigidious people of America’s real history. The “whiteman” killed the food source, there was no conquered land – the dirty team took over unfairly, did not honor agreements, set up systems and policies to distroy culture and native ways. There is no conquered land here – it was stolen, be sure not to get that twisted!
This is why sanctuary polices do more harm than good. Why hide this from ICE?
What does Humboldt’s sanctuary status have to do with this case?
And why report the three people found at the scene to ICE?
The article describes them as “cannabis-processing workers” and says that,
“officers determined the individuals were likely victims of labor trafficking.”
If they were in fact players in this organization, then prosecute them and incarcerate them.
ICE can pick them up when their sentence ends.
But, if they’re just workers, then shouldn’t ICE be focusing their efforts on more serious criminals?
You are speculating complete with your leftwing bias evident. These are the types of people who have destroyed Humboldt. These are creeps. The crimes are serious. Good job officers.
That’s either some pretty bold speculation on your part,
or you have access to information that is not printed in this article.
If the three people at the scene were integral parts of the operation,
then throw the book at them and, if they are not citizens, deport them after they served their sentences.
But, if they’re just low-level workers, then let them go.
That’s been the status quo around here for decades.
Screw the status quo around here. That needs to change because it is & always has been the wrong way to handle things.
Low level workers are a huge part of the problem.
With your logic every oil rig and pipeline worker for British Petroleum, Amplify Energy, etc. should face criminal charges for polluting the land and ocean with oil spills.
How do you figure the low level workers became such?
SOMEONE LOCAL HIRED THEM. We do not have the resources to imprison laborers who, in this case, are victims of human traffickers. By your logic, we should protect traffickers. Hate to break it to you, you’re also part of the problem.
Wrong!
Damn right!
No. ICE should focus their efforts on all illegal immigrants no matter what they situation is. They also should be arresting & prosecuting all persons who employ illegal immigrants. Especially those who own licensed Cannabis operations, since those primarily employee illegal immigrants.
It is an unfair advantage that has forced those who play by the rules out of the industry.
Please ICE…investingate all cannabis farms & processing facilities & force those owners to face consequences for their illegal activities.
Why no arrests? All of this talk about all of these crimes and not a single arrest or suspect named. Just three people released with no charges. So, is this a who done it. Who is suspected of committing all of these crimes?
Yes, why no arrest? I got arrested for having a whopping 200 plants (100+ were clones)…zero processed bud, zero stolen cars, zero ammo, they confiscated (stole) $100 from my daughters drawer – baby sitting $, zero counterfeit IDs, and we had a live Labrador (not a stuffed wolf)!
PS & Where was this???
You forgot or failed to pay the protection money
Sanctuary.
Wondering the same, and wondering if there is a connection to the accident a week or so ago involving a GMC Sierra, whose driver seriously injured a motorist and whose vehicle had previously been involved in a weed-oriented crime. Is it the same Sierra? So strange that there was no arrest there. Also really odd that the first warrant in this raid was for stolen vehicles but the team included parties like CDFW when the warrant was solely for the vehicles. Also odd that there was a big group staged down on the Avenue apparently just waiting for a second warrant.
Good now go check all the other properties they are associated with and get them cleaned out along with all the animals they aren’t supposed to have
No one cleans out. That’s one issue. The county has been left a total disaster
Maybe someone with land and fencing could step-up to foster livestock if it is confiscated?
Goats, pigs, horses, dogs, and cats…
Was the wolf killed locally…???
We may never know…
How is a VIN number switched? Isnt it stamped in 2 or more places? A friend had her Prius stolen by someone she suspects switched the VIN number. How is this done?
Im not planning on doing this, by the way; just curious and would like to know what to look out for.
I think they usually just switch the one in the front Dash.
I wonder what the wolf thinks?
Perhaps— I’d like not to be on display, but rather be returned to the wild from where I came.
Hilarious!
Who would I contact in regards to the jewelry found? I’d like to see if some.stolen jewelry if mine may be in the lot. Two wedding sets that were fam in my y heirlooms and other rings and earrings.
Sanctuary cities? How come as a local, there’s no public transportation on sundays, or in the hills of Southern Humboldt. So how am I supposed to travel through this land? I’m facing jail time for driving without a license. They keep impounding family cars that are registered. We can’t afford the ransom at the tow yard of $600 for the first hour. But if I break Into a house on drugs and steal less than $1000 and on probation, the Republican Judge and DA let that person go? Or if you are child molester and get caught with a kid but haven’t penetrated yet, the C.OPs will escort that child molester to safety from the locals because your Republican COPs and , Republican Judges and DA’s won’t prosecute, but they prosecute US locals who barely break the law? That’s Republicans abusing the sanctuary laws to try to bash the Democrats. So explain how repeated criminals with worse crimes can get off but failure to appear has harsher punishment? Because you can’t back talk a judge or cop but if you just take advantage of locals…… That’s ok? That’s not how sanctuary laws work. That’s called politics.
So why don’t you have a driver’s license, Erik?
Are you saying you’re driving a stolen car that someone else worked hard for?
Do you bother with insurance?
Vehicles aren’t routinely impounded unless they have no insurance and/or if the driver is unlicensed. And why did you fail to appear for a court hearing? Just couldn’t be bothered that day, or what?
Id love to read your excuses.
Well, not to worry, magats. Your Cult Master has started his first war. I remember how we were going to “win” in Vietnam, too. Then Americans were scrambling to the roof of the Saigon Embassy to fight their way onto the evacuation choppers.
We’ll see what Congress says. Quite a few Repubs as well as Dems are against Netanyahu’s War.
Wow- so Iran is just like Vietnam? You might want to go back to Sesame Street “One of these things is not like the other” song…
In Humco, cannabis is the curse that keeps on giving. Reap what you sow.
It is The Devil’s Lettuce fer sure
that is a coyote. CDFW are idiots.
Coyotes have pointy noses…
The stuffed animal has a, squarish, blunt nose…
Wolves and coyotes can interbreed…
Maybe the stuffed animal is what is known as a “coywolf”…
Don’t laugh…
“Coywolves” are real…
Not unheard of in California.
In fact,
Wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs, can interbreed.
Correction…
The above animal is not a confirmed coyote…
It also may be a coywolf…
It is an alleged coyote that was described as as “large” for a coyote, that aggressively pursued a small three year old child just recently outside the child’s home in Pasadena…
The child instantly screamed for his mother, retreated into his home, and the coyote veered off the chase towards the mother and child’s home’s front door…
https://youtu.be/2fYVQ4DF7ig?si=dsGiCSPCcH44oD5U
Here is a better screenshot of the pointy nose of a coyote…
That ain’t no fkn coyote
Long body. Short Legs. Squared off snout.
Pretty much suspect it is a Wolf-Dog or Wolf strain that has bred with Coyotes.
Meanwhile… so… where are the arrests ????
A bucket full of $1.00 bills, they must be planning a trip to the Tip Top Club.
Is that place still in business ?
Asking for a friend? 😉
What- The Pasty Palace?