Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

On July 16, 2026, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF), assisted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol, served a search warrant in the 3700 block of Red Rock Road in Benbow.

Drugs. Photo: HCDTF.

The search warrant targeted 42-year-old Kristina Babauta as part of a month-long investigation into the suspected distribution of narcotics throughout Southern Humboldt and Humboldt County.

During the service of the search warrant, Fortuna Police Department K-9 Kane was alerted to the presence of narcotics in several areas of the residence. A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of the following:

  • Approximately 14.5 ounces of cocaine
  • Approximately 14.6 ounces of DMT
  • Approximately 3.4 ounces of ketamine
  • Approximately 74 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
  • Approximately 33.4 grams of MDMA
  • Approximately 34 ketamine “KPOPS”
  • 35 mushroom-infused chocolate bars
  • 192 mushroom-infused gummies
  • Five vials of LSD
  • Nine functional firearms
  • A large quantity of ammunition
  • Approximately $77,000 in U.S. currency
  • Several gold bars with an estimated value of $116,000

At the conclusion of the investigation, Babauta was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

Guns. Photo: HCDTF.

  • HS 11378 – Possession of a controlled substance for sale
  • HS 11379(a) – Transportation of controlled substances
  • HS 11351 – Possession of controlled substance for sales
  • HS 11352(a) – Transportation of controlled substance for sales
  • HS 11366 – Own residence where narcotics are used or sold
  • HS 11370.1 – Possession of controlled substance while armed

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