Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) located 11 environmental violations and removed one active water diversion from the Eel River this week during the service of search warrants in Southern Humboldt County.

On Oct. 13, 2021, MET deputies served four search warrants to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the Alderpoint area. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Humboldt County Code Enforcement assisted in the service of the warrants.

Four parcels were investigated during the service of the warrant. The parcels did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.

During the service of the warrants, deputies eradicated approximately 3,406 growing cannabis plants. Deputies seized and destroyed over 242 pounds of processed cannabis, 291 pounds of cannabis shake and 61 pounds of cannabis bud.

Illegally cultivated cannabis | HCSO

Assisting agencies found the following violations:

• Six water diversion/obstruction violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Three water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)
• Two depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)

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

No arrests were made during the service of the warrant. The case will be forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review.

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.