Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Dec. 15, 2021, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served one search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis activities at a residence on Cochran Road in McKinleyville. The parcel owner did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate or manufacture cannabis products commercially. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Humboldt County Code Enforcement and the Humboldt County DHHS – Environmental Health and HazMat Unit assisted in the service of the warrant.

During the service of the warrant, deputies discovered an indoor cannabis cultivation operation and a large Butane Hash Oil (BHO) lab. Deputies eradicated approximately 238 growing cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed over 509 pounds of processed cannabis, over 499 pounds of cannabis bud, over 364 pounds of cannabis shake, approximately 165 pounds of BHO product and seven pounds of cannabis seeds. Deputies also located and seized three firearms, including one unserialized “ghost gun” assault rifle. 

BHO lab equipment located during search warrant.

More lab equipment

Three firearms located and seized during search warrant.

BHO lab supplies located during search warrant.

Illegally-owned dwarf alligator located during search warrant being showcased in a tank at the residence.

Additionally, CDFW wardens located an illegally-owned dwarf alligator being showcased in a tank at the residence. The CDFW is working to coordinate the safe removal and re-homing of the alligator.

Ronnie Allan Miller

At the residence, deputies contacted and detained 42-year-old Ronnie Allan Miller. Through their investigation, deputies learned that Miller and his two young children were living in the residence alongside the cannabis operation.

Miller was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of child endangerment (PC 273a(a)), possession of an assault weapon (PC 30605), manufacture of a controlled substance (HS 11379.6(A)), maintaining a residence for the purpose of manufacturing a controlled substance (HS 11366.5(A)), possession of cannabis for sales (HS 11359(b)), possession of over six cannabis plants (HS 11358(C)) and civil contempt (CP 1209).

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.