The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served search warrants at two unlicensed cannabis cultivation operations last week, eradicating thousands of plants and confiscating large quantities of processed flowers.
On Wednesday, May 13, MET deputies obtained a search warrant to investigate an illegal cannabis cultivation site in the 6000 block of Wilder Ridge Road in Honeydew.
The warrant was the result of numerous citizen complaints about the site.
Personnel from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Humboldt County Code Enforcement were also present to assist in the service of the warrant.
No arrests were made, but MET deputies eradicated approximately 1,121 cannabis plants growing on the property, and assisting agencies discovered numerous infractions including nine water diversion violations, commercial cannabis ordinance violations, electrical code violations, unpermitted grading violations, and open sewage violations.
The water diversion violations are punishable by a fine of up to $8,000-a-day per violation, and commercial cannabis ordinance violations carry a fine of up to $10,000-a-day.
On Friday, May 15, CDFW contacted MET to notify the team of an illegal cannabis cultivation site on the 3800 block of Thomas Road in Miranda.
With the assistance of CDFW, MET served a search warrant to investigate one parcel that was not licensed by the county or the state for commercial cannabis production.
Deputies eradicated approximately 14,086 growing cannabis plants from the site and more than 1,990 pounds of processed cannabis.
According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, no arrests were made during the service of either warrant, and the assisting agencies expect to file additional violations with civil fines for both cases.
