Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

On Feb. 17, 2026, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, along with the assistance of the Eureka Police Department, the Humboldt County Marijuana Enforcement Team, the Humboldt County POP Team and the Blue Lake Tribal Police Department executed Search Warrants on 57-year-old Charles Kenneth Groves and 50-year-old Gabriel Zachariah Giraud at their residences in Eureka. The search warrants authorized the search for controlled substances, specifically methamphetamine and fentanyl, and evidence that the controlled substances were possessed for the purpose of sales.

Groves was contacted while walking to his vehicle at the Blue Lake Fuel and Fun. A search of Groves and his vehicle revealed he was in possession of a loaded short barrel shotgun, a loaded .22 caliber handgun with suppressor, a bullet proof vest, 16.5 grams of heroin and 7.4 grams of methamphetamine. Packaging materials for controlled substances were also located at Groves’ residence.

Giraud was contacted at his residence. Giraud was found to be in possession of over 11 ounces of fentanyl, 16 grams of heroin and items used to sell controlled substances. Giraud was in possession of over $13,000 in US Currency believed to be proceeds from drug sales and was seized in accordance with asset forfeiture procedures.

Both Groves and Giraud were placed under arrest and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where they were booked for the following charges:

Groves:

• HS 11370.1: Possession of Controlled Substance while Armed (Felony)
• HS 11379: Transport/Sell Controlled Substances (Felony)
• HS 11378: Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale (Felony)
• HS 11351: Possession of Heroin for Sale (Felony)
• PC 29800(a)(1): Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm (Felony)

HCDTF is requesting the District Attorney’s Office file additional charges on Groves for:

• PC 33410: Possession of Silencer (Felony)
• PC 30605: Possession of Assault Weapon (Felony)
• PC 31360: Possession of Body Armor (Felony)
• PC 30305: Felon in Possession of Ammunition (Felony)
• PC 33215: Possession of Short Barrel Shot Gun (Felony)
• PC 21510: Possession of Switch Blade Knife (Misdemeanor)

Groves is a convicted felon.

Giraud:

• HS 11351: Possession of Fentanyl and Heroin for Sale (Felony)
• HS 11366: Maintaining a Drug House (Felony)
• PC 148(a): Obstructing/Resisting Officer (Misdemeanor)
• PC 12022.1(b): While Release from Custody on Felony

Giraud committed these crimes while he was out on bail from his previous Humboldt County Drug Task Force case in which he was arrested for selling fentanyl.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.