PREVIOUSLY: Suspected Arcata Drug Traffickers Arrested in Rio Dell 

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Humboldt County Drug Task Force press release:

On Friday May 6th, 2022 at approx. 1 a.m. the HCDTF was serving a search warrant on a vehicle in the 500 block of Wildwood Ave. in Rio Dell for cocaine and firearms violations. During the search warrant agents saw a vehicle pull into the gas station at this location and park. Agents recognized the driver as James Smith AKA: Hollywood (42 years old from Hoopa). Agents had been looking for Smith the previous day as they had information that Smith was trafficking fentanyl into Humboldt County and selling it in the Hoopa Valley. Agents already had a signed search warrant for Smith. Agents contacted Smith and detained him without incident.

HCDTF Agents conducted a search of Smith’s vehicle and located a concealed loaded .38 caliber revolver. Agents located two ounces of fentanyl hidden inside Smith’s pants. Agents also located a digital scale and packaging material inside of the vehicle. Smith was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where he was booked for the following charges:

• 11351 H&S Possession of fentanyl for sale
• 11352(a) H&S Transportation of fentanyl
• 11352(b) H&S Transportation of fentanyl across non-contiguous counties
• 11370.1 H&S Possession of controlled substance while armed
• 29800(a) PC Felon in possession of a firearm
• 25850 PC Loaded firearm in a vehicle
• 25400(a)3 PC Carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle

In the last 24 hours the HCDTF has made three traffic stops, served three search warrants, and arrested 7 people for trafficking fentanyl or cocaine into Humboldt County.

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.