This is a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
From 06-04-2021 to 06-09-2021 the County of Mendocino Marijuana Enforcement Team (COMMET) conducted several enforcement operations in the areas of Laytonville, Covelo and Albion in Mendocino County.
The following enforcement operations consisted of the following which will be referred to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution after the completion of each independent investigation:
2021-13698 (5200 block of North Highway 101 in Laytonville, CA)
On 06-04-2021 COMMET members served a search warrant at the listed property with the assistance of personnel from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. The investigation was based upon information provided to “Cal-Tip” in regards to reported acts of wildlife poaching and unlawful marijuana cultivation.
COMMET personnel eradicated 4,191 growing marijuana plants and approximately 76 pounds of processed bud marijuana.
2021-13395 (75000 block of County Road 337L / Refuse Road in Covelo, CA)
On 06-07-2021 COMMET members served a search warrant at the listed property with the assistance of personnel from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.
The warrant was issued as a result of probable cause being established that marijuana was being unlawfully grown on the property.
The initial investigation showed the property owner was allowing several groups of individuals to unlawfully grow large amounts of marijuana on the property.
COMMET personnel eradicated 3,076 growing marijuana plants and approximately 36.5 pounds of processed bud marijuana.
Evidence located showed act(s) of wildlife poaching and an imitation rifle (orange safety tip removed) at the grow site.
2021-14228 (24000 block of Biggar Lane in Covelo, CA)
On 06-07-2021 COMMET members responded to a reported illegal trespassing marijuana growing operation on tribal lands which had been reported by the Round Valley Tribe and Mendocino County Code Enforcement.
COMMET was assisted by personnel from the Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit and the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force.
COMMET contacted an adult male who was inside a marijuana drying room which was not a county permitted structure.
COMMET personnel eradicated 2,339 growing marijuana plants.
2021-14005 (24400 block of Biggar Lane in Covelo, CA)
On 06-07-2021 COMMET members responded to a reported illegal trespassing marijuana growing operation on tribal lands which had been reported by the Round Valley Tribe and Mendocino County Code Enforcement.
COMMET was assisted by personnel from the Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit and the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force.
There were four (4) male subjects standing near a section of several marijuana growing structures (hoop houses) who fled on foot upon law enforcement personnel’s arrival. These subjects were not apprehended as a result.
Investigators noticed several acres of the tribal land that had been clear cut of trees and a protective sweep of immediate area showed the presence of several firearms.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the property based upon their observations which was subsequently served on the same day.
COMMET personnel eradicated 5,131 growing marijuana plants, approximately 2,204 pounds of freshly harvested drying marijuana buds, approximately 596 pounds of processed marijuana and approximately 244 pounds of packaged processed marijuana.
COMMET personnel also seized three (3) AR-15 style assault rifles (ghost guns), one (1) semi-automatic handgun and one (1) bolt action .223 caliber rifle.
2021-14159 (29000 block of Albion Ridge Road, 31000 block of Albion Ridge Road and 1000 block of Hoe Road all in Albion, CA)
On 06-09-2021 COMMET members served a search warrant at the listed properties with the assistance of personnel from the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (Wardens and Environmental Scientists), the California Department of Food & Agriculture and Mendocino County Code Enforcement.
The warrant was issued as a result of probable cause being established that marijuana was being unlawfully grown on the properties in connection with another property located in Mendocino County (Ukiah Valley area).
COMMET personnel eradicated 12,615 growing marijuana plants, seized one (1) .308 caliber rifle and $5,000.00 in money orders.
MENDOCINO COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NEWS RELEASE IN REGARDS TO SEARCH WARRANT SERVICE:
CODE ENFORCEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Action Date: 06/09/21
Location: Multiple Properties on Albion Ridge Road, Albion
Information:
In the second week of June 2021, the Mendocino County Code Enforcement Division participated in a multi-agency investigation regarding non-permitted commercial cannabis cultivation at the listed locations below.
The Code Enforcement investigation confirmed that commercial cannabis cultivation was occurring in non-permitted structures, without a County Cultivation Permit, or State Cultivation License. The commercial cannabis cultivation was criminally eradicated by law enforcement and subsequent Notice of Violations and Administrative Citations were issued by Code Enforcement.
29000 Block of Albion Ridge Road in Albion (two locations):
Notice of Violation issued for non-permitted structures and electrical.
31000 Block of Albion Ridge Road in Albion:
Notice of Violation issued for non-permitted residences, non-permitted commercial metal building, and non-permitted hoop house.
Administrative Citations issued as follows:
- $520 per day for non-permitted structures used for commercial cannabis cultivation.
- $1,000 “one time” penalty for violation of the Mendocino County Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance.
- $2,001,000 (10,005 plants x $200 per plant) “one time” penalty for non-permitted commercial cannabis cultivation.
Code Enforcement intends to take additional action as needed to achieve compliance with the non-permitted structures.
The Code Enforcement Division receives all Cannabis and General Code Violation complaints in the unincorporated areas of the County. Complaints can be made in person at our offices or by visiting our website at: https://www.mendocinocounty.org/government/planning-building-services/code-enforcement to file an online complaint. Cannabis specific complaints can also be filed by calling the Cannabis Complaint Hotline at: (844) 421-WEED(9333).
