Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

 Castillo. Photos: HCSO.

On May 12th, 2020, special agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF), with the assistance from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a traffic stop on Maple Hills Road just off Highway 101, Miranda. Agents had obtained a search warrant for a vehicle being driven by Rafaela Castillo-Ramirez (age 41 from Sinaloa, Mexico). Through their multi-week investigation, agents learned that Castillo-Ramirez is employed by a Drug Trafficking Organization operating out of Bakersfield, California.

Castillo-Ramirez was detained without incident. Agents searched her vehicle and located a false compartment under the rear seat. Inside the false compartment agents located approximately 5 pounds of suspected heroin packaged for sales. HCDTF estimates the local street value of this substance to exceed $224,000.

Castillo-Ramirez was subsequently placed under arrest and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• H&S 11351, 11352 Possession and transportation of controlled substances for sales

• H& 11366.8(a) False compartment within motor vehicle

• H&S 120275 Violation of shelter in place order

Agents also obtained a bail enhancement pursuant to PC 1275 through the Humboldt Superior Court. Castillo-Ramirez’s bail was set at $500,000.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976 or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 707-268-2539.