From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On June 13, 2018, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) served two search warrants to investigate the illegal cultivation of marijuana in the area of U.S. Forest Service Route 1 near Hyampom. The following agencies assisted the DEU: wardens and environmental scientists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, specialists from the Humboldt County Environmental Health and HAZMAT Unit, inspectors from the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department and CAL Fire law enforcement officers and personnel.

Two parcels were investigated during the service of the search warrants. Neither parcels possessed or were in the process of obtaining a commercial cannabis permit with the County of Humboldt. During the service of the warrants, DEU deputies located five greenhouses and eight outdoor marijuana cultivation gardens. Deputies eradicated a total of 5,387 marijuana plants and seized three firearms.

On both properties, assisting agencies also located several water diversion violations (up to $8,000 per day fine), stream pollution violations (up to $20,000 per day fine), multiple grading violations (up to $10,000 per day fine) and improper disposal of garbage. Additional violations with civil fines are expected to be filed by the assisting agencies. Nou Kia Vang, 35, of Fresno, was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of unauthorized cultivation of marijuana, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, streambed alteration without a permit and water pollution.

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.