From the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

The Humboldt County Drug Task Force in conjunction with Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit secured a Humboldt County Superior Court search warrant for 23 year old James Boatsman, his vehicle and his residence.

On July 22 at around 6:00 P.M. Special Agents with the Task Force observed Mr. Boatsman driving his vehicle north bound Hwy 101 near Richardson’s Grove State Park. They conducted a traffic enforcement stop and searched Mr. Boatsman and his vehicle pursuant to the search warrant.

With the assistance of the Humboldt County District Attorney Investigator’s narcotics detection K-9, Special Agents located 2.91 pounds of suspected heroin as well as a loaded firearm. Mr. Boatsman was placed under arrest and transported to the jail. He was booked for possession of a narcotic for sale, transportation of a narcotic, possession of loaded handgun in a vehicle, and possession of a firearm while in possession of a narcotic.

Today at about 11:30 A.M. Eureka Police Department Detectives and Drug Task Force Special Agents served the search warrant at Mr. Boatsman’s residence located in the 600 block of 16th Street in Eureka. Officers located paraphernalia associated with the use of heroin but no other items of an evidentiary nature were found.

This investigation is ongoing and future arrests are anticipated. Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-444-8095 or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 707-268-2539.