Hazardous waste, pesticide violations found at unpermitted cannabis grows in Berry Summit

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HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM)- From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On August 20, 2018, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) served three search warrants to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation in the Berry Summit area. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Humboldt County Environmental Health and HAZMAT Unit, Humboldt County Planning and Building Department and the State Water Board assisted in the service of the warrants.

Three parcels were investigated during the service of the warrants. The parcels did not possess nor were in the process of actively obtaining a commercial cannabis permit with the County of Humboldt.

During the service of the warrants, deputies eradicated approximately 4,834 growing cannabis plants.
Assisting agencies found the following violations:
– Seven stream crossing violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
– Six water diversion violations (up to $8,000 fine per day, per violation)
– Eight water pollution violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)
– Two depositing trash in or near a waterway violations (up to $20,000 fine per day, per violation)
– Improper disposal of 4,834 (up to $70,000 fine per day, per violation)
– Commercial cannabis ordinance violations (up to $10,000 fine per day)
– Improper storage and removal of solid waste violations (up to $25,000 fine per day, per
violation)
– Grading without a permit violations (up to $10,000 fine per day, per violation)
– Building without a permit violations (up to $10,000 fine per day, per violation)
– Sewage violations
– Pesticide use violations
– Cultivation without registering with the State Water Board violation

No arrests were made during the service of the warrants.

Anyone with information about these cases or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.