Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Dec. 30, 2025, around 10:30 p.m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop near Salmon Creek Road on Northbound Highway 101 in Southern Humboldt County. During the stop, a Sheriff’s K9 was deployed to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle’s exterior. The K9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a significant quantity of suspected controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax pills, MDMA and other prescription and illicit drugs. Deputies also located drug paraphernalia and items consistent with narcotics sales, including a digital scale.

The approximate seizure included the following:

• Fentanyl — 6.7 ounces and 35 suspected M30 fentanyl pills
• Cocaine — 18.58 grams
• Methamphetamine — 8 grams
• Xanax — 335 bars
• Methadone — One bottle of liquid methadone and 8 pills
• Lorazepam — 59 pills
• Oxycodone — 2 pills
• Suspected DMT — 4 grams
• Suspected PCP
• Numerous, as yet unidentified pills and pipes

The driver, identified as Michael Thurston, 47, of Rio Dell, was arrested, transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charges:

• VC 14601.1(a) — Driving with a suspended or revoked license
• HS 11351 — Possession of a controlled substance for sale
• HS 11352(a) — Transportation or sale of a controlled substance
• HS 11375(b)(1) — Possession for sale or sale of a controlled substance
• HS 11375(b)(2) — Possession of a controlled substance
• HS 11350(a) — Possession of a narcotic controlled substance
• HS 11377(a) — Possession of a controlled substance
• HS 11364 — Possession of drug paraphernalia
• PC 182(a)(1) — Conspiracy to commit a crime

The passenger, identified as Tinisha Smith, 30, of Fortuna, was arrested, transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charges:

• HS 11351 — Possession of a controlled substance for sale
• HS 11352(a) — Transportation or sale of a controlled substance
• HS 11375(b)(1) — Possession for sale or sale of a controlled substance
• HS 11375(b)(2) — Possession of a controlled substance
• HS 11350(a) — Possession of a narcotic controlled substance
• HS 11377(a) — Possession of a controlled substance
• HS 11364(a) — Possession of drug paraphernalia
• PC 182(a)(1) — Conspiracy to commit a crime

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of our communities by actively investigating and disrupting the transportation and distribution of dangerous drugs.

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.