Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

 

On August 22, 2018, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) served one search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the Dinsmore area. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Humboldt County Environmental Health and HAZMAT Unit, Humboldt County Planning and Building Department and the State Water Board assisted in the service of the warrant.

One parcel was investigated during the service of the warrant. The parcel did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.

During the service of the warrant, deputies eradicated approximately 10,211 growing cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed over 400 pounds of cannabis bud and over 200 pounds of cannabis shake. Deputies also located and seized two firearms and a high capacity magazine.

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• Three water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Four stream alteration violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
• One water pollution violation (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)
• One depositing trash in or near a waterway violation (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Failure to label hazardous waste violation (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Failure to close hazardous waste containers violation (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Failure to report a hazardous materials release (up to $5,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Failure to prevent a hazardous waste release (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Improper storage and removal of solid waste violations (up to $25,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Commercial cannabis ordinance violations (up to $10,000 fine per day)
• Building without a permit violations (up to $10,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Streamside management violations
• Sewage violations
• Junk cars violations

Additional violations with civil fines are expected to be filed by the assisting agencies.

 

Manuel David Aguirre, 23, of Mexico, was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges: felony cultivation of cannabis, possession of an assault weapon, carrying a loaded firearm in commission of a felony, resisting a peace officer, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of cannabis for sales.

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