Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On April 29, 2026, at approximately 1 p.m., an officer with the Eureka Police Department (EPD) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding near the intersection of I and Buhne Streets.

The driver was identified as Ernest Rocha, a 65-year-old Arcata resident. A records check revealed that Rocha was on probation.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle conducted pursuant to his probation terms, officers located approximately 12.5 grams of methamphetamine, along with pepper spray and bear spray.

Rocha was taken into custody and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of pepper spray, and violation of probation.