Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office — Drug Task Force:

Beginning in late 2022, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) initiated an investigation into a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO). Over the course of the investigation, HCDTF Agents successfully purchased several pounds of methamphetamine and ounces of cocaine and fentanyl from various members of the DTO in Humboldt County and in Southern Oregon with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These purchases allowed Agents to successfully identify the DTO leader and participating members.

Valentin Vargas-Diaz

In June of 2023, Agents identified Valentin VARGAS-DIAZ as a member of the DTO. Agents learned that Valentin VARGAS-DIAZ had an active felony warrant for his arrest for:

  • PC261(A)(4)- Rape/Victim Unconscious at time of rape
  • PC289(D)- Sexual Penetration with a Foreign Object
  • PC417(A)(2)- Exhibit Firearm
  • HS11359(b)- Possession for Sales
  • PC25850(A)- Carry Loaded Firearm in Public Place

Valentin VARGAS-DIAZ (46 years old) was arrested on his warrant and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on June 12th, 2023.

Everardo Vargas-Diaz

On October 3rd, 2023, HCDTF Agents with assistance from DEA, BLM, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Marijuana Enforcement Team, and the Fortuna Police Department (FoPD), served search warrants at five locations in Humboldt County and one location in Grants Pass, Oregon.


Upon serving a search warrant in the 800 block of Sage Road in Ferndale, agents located 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine in a vehicle belonging to Everardo VARGAS-DIAZ (35 years old from Ferndale). Agents also located a functional digital scale, pay and owe sheets, and two small baggies containing methamphetamine. VARGAS-DIAZ was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

  • HS11378- Possession of a Methamphetamine
  • HS11366.5(A)- Operating/Maintaining a Drug House
  • HS11378- Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales
  • HS11370.4(B)(1)- Enhancement for Possessing over one Kilogram of Methamphetamine

Oscar Dominguez-Silva

Simultaneously, DEA Agents in Grants Pass, Oregon served a search warrant at the residence of Oscar DOMINGUEZ-SILVA, the identified leader of the DTO. Upon arrival at the residence, Agents located DOMINGUEZ-SILVA, 4 firearms, 4.4 pounds of methamphetamine and 5.29 ounces of cocaine. DOMINGUEZ-SILVA was booked at a federal facility and will be indicted on federal charges related to narcotics trafficking.

Agents then served a search warrant at a residence in the 2900 block of Rebecca Lane in Fortuna. Agents located indicia for Oscar DOMINGUEZ-SILVA and approximately $22,000.00 in U.S. Currency.

On October 4th, 2023, Agents served search warrants at an additional three locations in the Eureka area.

Sandro Ramirez-Uribe

Upon serving a search warrant in the 1100 block of L Street in Eureka, Agents located Sandro RAMIREZ-URIBE (44 years old from Eureka) and Melissa PARKER (39 years old from Eureka). Agents also located 6 grams of methamphetamine, metal knuckles, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. Both RAMIREZ-URIBE and PARKER had felony warrants for their arrest as well. RAMIREZ-URIBE and PARKER were booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

Melissa Parker

  • PC21810- Possession of Metal Knuckles
  • HS11366.5(A)- Operating/Maintaining a Drug House
  • HS11378- Possession of Methamphetamine

Agents then served a search warrant at a residence in the 1800 block of I street in Eureka. Agents located Renee HERNANDEZ-PULIDO (27 years old of Eureka), 30 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, pay and owe sheets, a functional digital scale, a firearm, and approximately $4,500.00 in U.S. Currency. HERNANDEZ-PULIDO was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

Renee Hernandez-Pulido

  • HS11370.1(A)- Possession of Methamphetamine While Armed
  • HS11378- Possession of Methamphetamine
  • HS11378- Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales

A final search warrant was served at a residence in the 800 block of Huntoon Street in Eureka where agents seized a sawed-off shotgun.

K9 Yahtzee (HCSO), K9 Rex (HCSO), K9 Cain (FoPD), K9 Blitz (FoPD, and their respective handlers assisted in each of the search warrants and alerted to the narcotics located.  

Throughout the entire investigation, Agents seized a total of:

  • 23 Pounds of Methamphetamine
  • 7 Ounces of Fentanyl
  • 6 Ounces of Cocaine
  • 6 Firearms

The following was seized for state and federal asset forfeiture purposes:

  • $26,500.00 in U.S. Currency
  • Vehicle belonging to identified leader of the DTO
  • Residential property belonging to identified leader of the DTO.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.