Photos: Andrew Goff.

UPDATE, 4:35 p.m.: Eureka Police Department provides some followup on this case: 

On 04/1916 at about 1:20 p.m., detectives with the Eureka Police Department Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP), Drug Task Force, and the DEA served a search warrant on Brian Hickey and his vehicle in the parking lot of Murphy’s Market.

During the course of the investigation, three vehicles total were searched in the parking lot and six people were contacted. 

Brian Hickey, 53 of Eureka, was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales, transportation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving on a suspended license.  Vanessa Stowe, 26 of Eureka, was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales, possession of drug paraphernalia, and probation violation.  Jacques Champagne, 47 of Eureka, was arrested for probation violation. 

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Original Post: The EPD Problem Oriented Policing team, with assistance from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, are currently undertaking a very public investigation inside the parking lot of the Murphy’s Market in Cutten.

The Outpost’s Andrew Goff, who is at the scene, says that at least five people have been detained while investigators search at least three separate vehicles. The parking lot and the grocery store remain open.

One agent tells us that the investigation began with the service of a search warrant on one of the vehicles in question a little bit earlier this afternoon. From there, the agent said, the investigation “escalated.”

We’ll update when we know more.