Evidence seized from the scene of the crime. | Photos provided by the Humboldt County Drug Task Force.

Humboldt County Drug Task Force press release:

In early January of 2021 special agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) initiated an investigation into the fentanyl distribution operation of Joseff Gene Greek (34 years old from San Francisco). Greek is currently on Federal probation for firearms violations. Agents had developed probable cause to believe Greek was transporting large quantities of fentanyl from San Francisco to Humboldt County on a regular basis.

Joseff Gene Greek.

During the final weekend of January 2021 agents conducted surveillance on Greek as he travelled from San Francisco to Sacramento, then to Mendocino County, and eventually on Sunday morning January 31st , 2021 Greek entered Humboldt County and checked into a hotel room in the area of 4th St. and B St. in Eureka. HCDTF agents obtained a search warrant for Greek and his hotel room.

At approximately 10:15 a.m. agents performed knock and notice on the door of Greek’s hotel room. A second male that was in the room with Greek, Dale Michael Melvin (24 years old from San Francisco), jumped out the back window of the second story hotel room in an attempt to flee. Humboldt County Sheriff Deputies were waiting in the alley way behind the hotel and detained Melvin. HCDTF agents breached the hotel room and detained Greek without incident.

Inside the hotel room agents located equipment for manufacturing assault weapons, pistols, and unregistered firearms. Agents also located an assault rifle, multiple handguns, a zip gun, silencers, several high capacity magazines, and large amounts of ammunition. Agents located documents detailing the manufacturing of firearms and price lists for the firearms distribution operation.

Agents also located approximately 3 ounces of fentanyl, 6 ounces of methamphetamine, cutting agents, scales, and packaging. Inside the room agents located two bags full of clothes covered in blood splatter. It is unknown how these clothes became in this condition. The clothes were seized as potential evidence in other crimes.

Dale Michael Melvin.

Greek and Melvin were transported to the Humboldt County Jail where they were booked for the following charges:

  • H&S 11370.1 Possession of controlled substance while armed 
  • H&S 11352(b) Transportation of controlled substances across noncontiguous counties 
  • H&S 11351 Possession of controlled substances for sale HUMBOLDT COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE Post Office Box 5338 Eureka, California 95502 (707) 267-9976 • Fax (707) 445 - 2611 
  • H&S 11379(b) Transportation of methamphetamine across noncontiguous counties 
  • H&S 11378 Possession of methamphetamine for sale 
  • H&S 11366.5 Maintaining rented room for distributing controlled substances 
  • PC 29800(a)(1) Felon in possession of a firearm 
  • PC 33410 Possession of a silencer 
  • PC 31500 Possession of an unconventional pistol (zip gun) 
  • PC 30605(a) Possession of an assault weapon 
  • PC 30600(a) Manufacturing assault weapons 
  • PC 148(a)(1) Resisting or obstructing a police officer 
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.