During the last weeks of September 2024, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, served numerous warrants at unlicensed cannabis sites in the Round Valley area. These operations were performed in collaboration with state and federal partners, to target unregulated and unlicensed marijuana production and its impact on the community and the quality of life for the residents in Covelo, CA.
Over the past several weeks, authorities identified numerous illegal grow sites operating without the necessary permits to legally cultivate marijuana in accordance with state laws. These operations not only violate state law, but also pose risks to public safety, environmental integrity, and the health of the overall community. A total of 16 locations were targeted during the week-long operation, with the majority of locations being in the greater Covelo area and one site in the Mendocino National Forrest.
Investigators located and identified numerous water diversions and extremely dangerous pesticides near local waterways. Law enforcement officials found numerous instances of pesticides being used, which are banned in the United States. During these operations, law enforcement officials seized 30,482 marijuana plants, 23,246 pounds of processed marijuana for the purpose of sales, and 6 firearms. The seized firearms included two weapons that were determined to be illegal to possess in California (an assault rifle “ghost gun” and a sawed-off shotgun).
Investigators also seized one pound of psilocybin mushrooms and $132,010.00 in U.S. currency. These criminal investigations are ongoing, and additional efforts are being planned to dismantle these illegal and criminal networks. Reports will be forwarded to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office requesting formal charging of several individuals as a result of these investigations. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their efforts during these operations: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and their environmental impact team, California State Waterboard, E.P.I.C. (Eradication Prevention of Illicit Cannabis Team - formerly known as C.A.M.P), California Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force.
