In December of 2021, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) began receiving information and actively investigating Humboldt Emerald Triangle LLC and the co-conspirators associated with the business. HCDTF Agents believed that the owners/operators of Humboldt Emerald Triangle LLC were running a criminal enterprise in various locations throughout Northern California and Illinois. Over the course of the 2-year investigation, HCDTF personnel conducted numerous undercover operations that resulted in the positive identification of the participating members of the Humboldt Emerald Triangle LLC.
As a result of the investigation, warrants for the arrests of Uonan UONAN AKA “Chicago John” (57 years old from Iraq) and Nicholas Soares MACHADO AKA “KGB” (45 years old from Arcata) were issued. A search warrant was authored and signed for various locations throughout Humboldt County.
On January 19th, 2024, with assistance from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), HCSO Marijuana Enforcement Team, Humboldt County District Attorney Investigative Unit, Humboldt County District Attorney Victim Witness Unit, TRIDENT Task Force, Department of Justice, Fortuna Police Department, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Cannabis Control, Homeland Security, and the California Environmental Protection Agency, HCDTF Agents served search warrants on eight locations throughout Humboldt County.
Upon serving a search warrant in the 2100 block of Table Bluff Road in Loleta, Agents located Uonan UONAN and Nicholas MACHADO. UONAN and MACHADO were detained without incident. Upon searching the residence and the farm on the property, Agents located a pound of non-prescription hydrocodone pills, two AR-15 non serialized firearms, two AR-9 non serialized firearms, one Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol, one Grendel semi-automatic pistol, various ammunition, and 30 round magazines. Despite Humboldt Emerald Triangle LLC having the proper cultivation and distribution licenses, 5,677 marijuana plants were found to be growing illegally at the farm as well as 16 pounds of processed marijuana, 192 pounds of marijuana shake, and 42 pounds of BHO wax. Therefore, the marijuana plants were destroyed on scene and the processed marijuana, shake and wax were seized and booked for destruction. The owners/operators of Humboldt Emerald Triangle LLC were also violating their distribution license by selling and transporting marijuana outside the state of California.
Subsequent search warrants were then served at seven other locations in the cities of Arcata, Eureka, and Hydesville. Financial documentation, indicia and other corroborating information was located at these locations. A sawed-off shotgun was also located at the residence searched in Arcata.
As a result of the search warrants, the following items were seized for asset forfeiture purposes:
$123,846.25 in U.S. Currency
2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Black Widow Edition
2021 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali
2023 GMC Yukon XL
2017 Polaris Sportsman ATV
13 watches
Various jewelry items
This investigation also focused on potential labor trafficking. Humboldt Emerald Triangle LLC was operating under a business plan wherein they unlawfully employed undocumented foreign individuals. These undocumented workers were forced to work in unfavorable and hostile conditions. They were also forced to live in small sheds on the farm that did not have proper utilities. These workers were underpaid and often had their wages withheld. Throughout the investigation, evidence was corroborated that a juvenile was also being unlawfully employed by Humboldt Emerald Triangle LLC which is a felony violation of HS11359(D).
Uonan UONAN was arrested and booked without bail at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:
PC186.2- Criminal Profiteering
PC186.10- Money Laundering
PC487A- Grand Theft
PC182- Conspiracy
PC236.1- Human Labor Trafficking
HS11359- Possession of Marijuana for Sale
HS11366.5- Maintaining a Drug House
PC30605(A)- Possession of an Assault Weapon
PC29180(G)- Manufacturing a Firearm
PC30600(A)- Manufacturing an Assault Weapon
Nicholas Soares MACHADO was arrested and booked without bail at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:
PC33215- Manufacture a Short-Barreled Shotgun
PC182- Conspiracy
HS11359- Possession of Marijuana for Sale
This investigation remains open and active. HCDTF anticipates charging additional co-conspirators and adding further charges as evidence presents itself. The Humboldt County Drug Task Force encourages any prior employees of Humboldt Emerald Triangle LLC to contact the HCDTF at 707-267-9976 if they are interested in providing further information pursuant to this investigation.