Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On Wednesday, July 6, 2016, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) along with CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) personnel, and Fish & Wildlife (F&W) Officers conducted a trespass marijuana investigation on timber company land in the Atwell Creek Drainage system, near Rio Dell. DEU attempted to contact three suspects on scene who fled on foot. Deputies were unable to apprehend the suspects. Deputies located evidence of chemical pesticides and rodenticides used within the marijuana grow. F&W investigated the large scale water diversion from Atwell Creek. A total of 11,030 marijuana plants were eradicated.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.