Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

On Thursday March 30, 2023 HCDTF served a search warrant at the 700 Block of McCullens Avenue in Eureka after receiving information that 38 year old Dustin Andrew Lawler was selling large amounts of fentanyl throughout Humboldt County. 

During the service of the search warrant, agents determined Lawler was not on scene, but contacted and detained Lawler’s roommate 52 year old Nicholas March. During a search of the residence agents located 18.6 ounces of purple, green, and white fentanyl. They also located 310 muscle relaxer pills, 73 Soma pills, 106 capsules containing an unknown substance, 8 grams of methamphetamine, and six firearms. One of the firearms located was a .223 caliber AR style rifle with a nine inch barrel and was manufactured with no serial number (Ghost gun).

March.

Subsequently, March was arrested on the following charges:

• H&S 11370.1(A)- Possession of controlled Substance while armed
• PC 30600(A)- Manufacture of an assault weapon
• PC 30605(A)- Possession  of an assault weapon
• PC 33215- Possession of short barreled rifle

March initially lied to agents about his true identity and was arrested and booked under the false name. After booking, agents located his true identity and will be seeking additional charges of:

• PC 29800(A)(1)- Felon in possession of a firearm
• PC 30305(A)(1)- Felon in possession of ammunition
• PC 148.9(a)- Providing false identity to law enforcement

Lawler.

Additionally, agents have submitted a warrant declaration to the District Attorney’s Office for the following charges for Lawler:

• H&S 11351- Possession for sale of controlled substance
• H&S 11375(B)(1)- Possession of designated controlled substance
• PC 1203.2(A)- Violation of probation