From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Approximately four months ago deputies from the Community Response Unit ( C.R.U ) received information on the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line about marijuana being grown in a green house in the 2900 block of Barber Creek Road, Carlotta.

On 06-12-2012, approximately 11:00 a.m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Community Response Deputies saw a rental “Box Van” moving truck backed up to the greenhouse loading what appeared to be marijuana plants into the back of the truck. The deputies parked down the road and waited for the truck to leave. The deputies stopped the truck on Highway 36 near Fisher Road, Hydesville at approximately 1:00 p.m.

When the deputies contacted the driver of the truck he identified himself as Dennis Ray Boeckmann, 58 years old from Carlotta. The passenger was identified as Michael Lee Malone, 26 years old from Carlotta. When deputies spoke with them they could smell the strong odor of green marijuana. Deputies opened the rear of the van and located one hundred and twenty eight, 3’ tall green growing marijuana plants in pots. Boeckman and Malone told the deputies it was medical marijuana.

Based upon their investigation, the deputies believed the marijuana was for sale and obtained a search warrant for the residence the on Barber Creek Lane. The Humboldt County Drug Task force was called to assist with the investigation. Deputies served the Humboldt County Superior Court Search Warrant at 5:00 p.m. When the deputies served the warrant they located 387 additional growing marijuana plants ranging from 3” to 3’ in height, along with 8 bags of processed marijuana bud weighing approximately 3 to 4 pounds total. Deputies also located 750 grams of concentrated cannabis and a shotgun.

Deputies arrested Boeckmann and Malone who were transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. They were booked on charges of transportation, cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana. Boeckmann’s bail was set at $25,000.00 and Malone’s bail was set at $75,000.00.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539. The Humboldt County Drug Task Force can be reached at 707-444-8095.