Sheriff's Deputies Conduct Large-Scale Marijuana-Cultivation Sweep Near Island Mountain (Calif.)

June 23, 2015

Sheriff’s deputies from Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties conducted a large scale marijuana cultivation sweep Monday at 7 a.m. including serving several search warrants in the Island Mountain area, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. Dozens of deputies from the three Sheriff’s offices in three counties hit the remote area which touches all three counties. It is the original Emerald Triangle area. Sources say they expect to find upwards of 100,000 plants. The teams left for the area early this morning and had a long trip at least 2.5 hours into the woods past the nearest paved road. No federal agencies are involved. Sources say the marijuana grows are not Mexican cartel operations but from local wealthy growers who have been at it for years. Beyond the sheer size of the grows, prompting the raid is evidence of massive water theft and other environmental violations. For that reason the California Department of Fish and Wildlife was assisting deputies.

At least two warrants were served by Humboldt County deputies, said Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Lt. George Cavinta to the Eureka Times-Standard.