Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 29, 2020, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served one search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the Blocksburg area. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Humboldt County Code Enforcement 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 58,395 growing cannabis plants.

Assisting agencies found the following violations

• Six water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Three water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Commercial cannabis ordinance violations (up to $10,000 fine per day)

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

Three subjects were cited and released on charges of illegal cultivation of cannabis resulting in violation of the Water Code relating to discharge of water (H&S 11358d3b), water diversion (F&G 1602), water pollution (PC 5650), driving without a valid license (VC 12500), probation violation (PC 1203.2) and VC 38025a.

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.