Humboldt County Drug Task Force Annual Arrest Report For 2020

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM) – Humboldt County’s Drug Task Force has released its annual report showing fewer arrests made compared to recent years.

At the same time, the amount of controlled substances seized has significantly increased from last year’s totals, with the most concerning being fentanyl.

In terms of drug use this year alone, an overwhelming number of fentanyl deaths is on the rise. Three months into 2021, and fentanyl deaths have already surpassed those from 2019.

This new trend has caused overdoses in nine county residents, and more are anticipated.

In terms of arrests, the task force reported making 53 this year, much lower than the 79 in 2019, and the 95 made in 2018. The Covid-19 pandemic can get credit for this.

Data from the 2020 report shows nearly half of all arrests happened in the Eureka area, followed by the Humboldt County sheriff’s office jurisdiction, the Arcata police department and the Fortuna police department.

For more information and to see the Humboldt County Drug Task Force’s annual report showing arrests made, go to our website at redwoodnews.tv