In late September 2024, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, executed multiple warrants at unlicensed cannabis sites in the Round Valley region. This large-scale effort was part of a collaborative mission between state and federal agencies aimed at addressing illegal marijuana cultivation and its negative effects on both the community and the residents’ quality of life in Covelo, California.
Over recent weeks, authorities discovered several illegal grow operations that lacked the necessary permits required by state regulations. These sites were not only in violation of the law but also presented threats to public safety, environmental sustainability, and the overall well-being of local residents.
Law enforcement focused on sixteen (16) different locations during the week-long sweep, most of which were centered around the Covelo area, with one site located in Mendocino National Forest. Investigators uncovered significant water diversions and the use of dangerous, banned pesticides near local water sources. Many of the pesticides found have been prohibited for use within the United States, adding to the environmental hazards posed by these illegal operations.
Throughout the operation, officers seized 30,482 marijuana plants and 23,246 pounds of processed cannabis intended for sale, along with six firearms. Among the firearms were an assault rifle “ghost gun” and a sawed-off shotgun, both of which are illegal in California.
In addition to the marijuana and weapons, officials confiscated one pound of psilocybin mushrooms and $132,010 in cash. The investigation into these illegal unlicensed cannabis sites is ongoing, and authorities are planning further actions to dismantle these criminal operations. Cases will be submitted to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office, where formal charges are expected against several individuals involved.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the following agencies for their support during the operation: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s environmental impact team, California State Waterboard, E.P.I.C. (Eradication Prevention of Illicit Cannabis Team), the California Department of Justice, and the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force.
