On Feb. 2, 2021, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served one search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation at a storage facility on the 100 block of Airport Road in Fortuna in response to numerous community complaints.

One parcel was investigated during the service of the warrant. The parcel did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.

During the service of the warrant, deputies eradicated approximately 68,217 growing cannabis plants. Deputies also seized and destroyed over 338 pounds of packaged, manicured cannabis bud, approximately 137 pounds of dried cannabis and over 107 pounds of cannabis shake.

Seven individuals working at the cultivation site were detained, including one juvenile. The person responsible for the cultivation site was not located on scene. The detained individuals were released following the conclusion of deputies’ investigation. The juvenile was released into the custody of a parent.

No arrests were made; however, this case will be forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.

Anyone with information about this case 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.