Last week, several investigations into illegal marijuana cultivations in Round Valley concluded, shedding light on the significant challenges faced by law enforcement.
A few years ago, several Northern California Sheriffs, including those from Mendocino County, recognized the growing issues of violence, human trafficking, drug trafficking organizations, and environmental degradation at illegal marijuana grow sites. In response, they formed a partnership to address these issues collectively, especially during times of personnel shortages.
This collaboration has allowed for a concentrated effort on the most egregious violators. Senator McGuire played a crucial role in securing funding to support these efforts, easing the financial burden on the counties and facilitating joint investigations into crimes involving violence, human trafficking, and environmental damage.
Recently, a significant crime occurred in Round Valley involving an attempted marijuana robbery. This incident led to assaults with deadly weapons, a vehicle pursuit and crash, gunfire, and violent assaults, highlighting the ongoing dangers associated with the illegal marijuana trade.
The suspects were apprehended, though they were severely beaten by local residents. One suspect required hospitalization for major injuries, while the other, who was on federal parole, is now in federal custody awaiting charges in Mendocino County.
These crimes continue to pose a threat to neighborhoods, underscoring the importance of ongoing investigations into illegal cultivations. With the help of partnerships, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, identified numerous illegal cannabis cultivation sites in Round Valley through aerial surveillance.
Subsequent investigations targeted 18 locations for search warrants, chosen based on the volume of illegal cannabis, lack of licensing, and potential environmental crimes. These sites included private, state, and tribal lands.
Given the scale of these operations, additional support was requested from allied agencies. The Humboldt, Trinity, and Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), Department of Water Quality, and EPIC (formerly known as CAMP), assisted in executing the 18 search warrants over two days.
During the operation, numerous individuals were detained, with many others fleeing. In just two days, authorities eradicated 62,117 marijuana plants and seized 31,284 pounds of processed marijuana. Additionally, three illegal AR-15 style rifles (Ghost Guns), an illegal short-barreled rifle, and illegal pesticides (Carbofuran and Methamidophos) were found on several properties.
Criminal cases are being prepared for submission to the District Attorney’s Office for charging considerations. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to investigating these crimes and ensuring the safety of rural communities.
For more information, visit the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook post.
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