Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

During the week of August 9-12, 2021, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) conducted multiple investigations into illegal cannabis cultivation in watersheds determined to be critical spawning streams for spring chinook salmon, fall chinook salmon, coho salmon, trout and steelhead. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Water Resources Control Board, Humboldt County Code Enforcement, Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Environmental Health – Hazmat Unit and the California National Guard assisted in the service of the warrants.

Numerous parcels were investigated during the service of the search warrants in the South Fork Trinity River, East Branch, Steelhead Creek, Mad River, Van Duzen and Little Larrabee Creek/Van Duzen watersheds. None of the parcels investigated possessed the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.

In total, deputies eradicated over 64,000 illegally grown cannabis plants and documented approximately 79 environmental violations, including 42 water diversion violations, 24 depositing trash into a waterway violations and 13 water pollution violations. During the service of the search warrants, environmental scientists and law enforcement found and documented severe damage to the watersheds. Environmental scientists found numerous deceased wildlife and located Coastal Giant Salamander larvae in a water diversion pool.

Illegal cultivation activities during a drought year put an exuberant inordinate amount of pressure on already strained fish and wildlife resources. The HCSO Marijuana Enforcement Team’s eradication efforts and partners’ environmental investigations help to conserve salmon and steelhead habitat critical for species survival.

The following statistics and photographs were recorded during these investigations.

1. South Fork Trinity River Watershed

On August 9, deputies served two warrants on parcels in the Blake Mountain area of Eastern Humboldt County. During the service of the warrants, deputies eradicated approximately 6,591 illegally grown cannabis plants. Deputies also located two firearms, a bullet proof vest, and numerous dead squirrels and wildlife. At one of the parcels, deputies located a pregnant flying squirrel that had been nailed to a wall on the side of a building. The squirrel appeared to have been killed within 48 hours prior to the search warrant. The squirrel was sent to a CDFW laboratory for testing as it appeared to have been poisoned.

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• Seventeen (17) water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation);
• Eight (8) depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation).

Dead Flying Squirrel nailed to a building located at an illegal cultivation site. All photos: HCSO.

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation

Illegally grown cannabis plants.

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation.

While environmental scientists and Fish and Wildlife wardens were locating and documenting illegal water diversions on the parcel being searched, an individual began firing multiple rounds from an AK-47 towards the investigating parties. Upon hearing shots fired, deputies responded to provide life-safety assistance. No one was injured during the incident.

Deputies secured a search warrant for the property from which the shots had been fired and made contact with the suspected shooter, 27-year-old Bryant Randall Hall. Hall was found to be in possession of an AK-47, a handgun and high-capacity magazines. While investigating, deputies found the location on the property from which the shooting occurred and collected 30 spent casings. Next to the location of the shooting, deputies found a large water diversion.

The property on which the shooting occurred contained a large-scale state and county permitted cannabis cultivation site. The water diversion was documented and removed from the watershed. None of the cannabis plants were eradicated at this parcel at the time of the investigation. The information was forwarded to the Department of Cannabis Control and the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department for further action.

Hall was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of discharge of a firearm in gross neglect (PC 246.3(a)), assault with a firearm on a person (PC 245(a)(2)), possession of a high-capacity magazine (PC 32310) and streambed alteration (FG 1602(a)).

AK-47 found during investigation

Spent shell casings on the ground

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation.

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation.

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation.

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation.

Bryant Randall Hall.

2. East Branch and Steelhead Creek Watersheds

On August 10, deputies investigated six parcels in the East Branch and Steelhead Creek Watersheds. During the service of the warrants, deputies eradicated approximately 10,250 illegally grown cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed approximately 1,042 pounds of processed cannabis and 15 pounds of cannabis bud. Deputies also located and seized three firearms.

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• Four (4) water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation);
• Three (3) depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation).

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation.

Water flowing after diversion was removed.

Panorama photo of illegally grown cannabis plants.

3. Mad River and Van Duzen Watersheds

On August 11, deputies investigated six parcels in the Mad River and Van Duzen Watersheds. During the service of the warrants, deputies eradicated approximately 14,049 illegally grown cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed approximately 1,022 pounds of processed cannabis, 120 pounds of cannabis bud and over 327 pounds of cannabis shake. Additionally, at the property in the Mad River Watershed, deputies located a bottle of Carbofuran, which is a deadly pesticide that is banned in the United States.  

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• Thirteen (13) water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation);
• Four (4) water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation);
• One (1) depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation).

Bottle of Carbofuran, a deadly pesticide that is illegal in the United States.

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation.

Trash associated with cannabis cultivation abandoned into and next to a season stream.

illegally grown cannabis plants.

4. Little Larrabee Creek/ Van Duzen Watershed

On August 12, deputies investigated four parcels in the Little Larrabee Creek/ Van Duzen Watershed. During the service of the warrants, deputies eradicated approximately 33,959 illegally grown cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed over 1,366 pounds of processed cannabis and 107 pounds of cannabis bud. Deputies also located and seized eight firearms.

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• Eight (8) water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation);
• Twelve (12) depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation);
• Nine (9) water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation).

Unscreened irrigation line (see Red Arrow) used to divert majority of remaining surface water to illegal cannabis.

Unpermitted Stream Crossing and abandoned trash.

Trash and impoundment placed in tributary of little Larrabee Creek.

Trash and impoundment placed in tributary of little Larrabee Creek.

Water being diverted for illegal cannabis cultivation.

Coastal Giant Salamander larvae, obligate aquatic species that required perennial cold clean water for successful larval rearing and reproduction, observed in water diversion pool.

Anyone with information about these cases 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.
These cases will be forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review. Additional violations with civil fines are expected to be filed by the assisting agencies.