Federal agents who served warrants on properties across Humboldt and into Northern Mendocino County have begun the process of sifting through the massive amount of evidence seized during Tuesday's marijuana raids, with the plants alone worth an estimated $25 million to $60 million.
And the evidence kept piling in Wednesday.
Estimates produced by the FBI indicate authorities seized more than 10,000 marijuana plants, one vehicle, computers, more than $160,000 in cash and 30 firearms, including shotguns, handguns and fully automatic weapons.
FBI Special Agent Joseph Schadler said no charges have yet been filed as investigators continue to scour suspect properties for evidence that will help build cases against the alleged for-profit marijuana growers, which were the target of “Operation Southern Sweep.”
However, Schadler said federal charges are likely to be brought as the investigation continues.
So far, none of the individuals targeted by the investigation were arrested, and only one man was taken into custody after he reportedly assaulted a federal officer during a warrant execution.
In total, 29 warrants were served across Humboldt County and the northern tip of Mendocino County.
Among the Humboldt towns with raided properties were Arcata, McKinleyville, Shelter Cove, Whitethorn, Redway, Ettersburg, Garberville, Miranda and Phillipsville.
An additional two properties were raided later Tuesday. According to FBI officials, investigators suspect those properties -- rural parcels that stretch across the Humboldt and Mendocino border -- were purchased by growers who pooled their money to buy property to cultivate a marijuana cash crop.
Tuesday's investigation began in 2006 when members of California's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement began looking into what the FBI called a “California-based organization” that purchased the roughly 2,000 acres on two tracts of mountainous land. Investigators suspected the organization had purchased the land for large-scale commercial marijuana production, and because of the large scope of the operation, enlisted the FBI's help.
Investigators looked into suspicious activities, like numerous buildings and greenhouses on the land, built without permits, the FBI reported. And aerial photos of the properties showed the land had undergone continual construction since it was purchased.
Schadler said by Wednesday, nearly the entire group of roughly 250 agents took up the investigation on those two properties. The pile of seized marijuana plants and other evidence is expected to keep growing, he said.
”They're collecting trace evidence, document evidence, starting the destruction operation. They're going to cut down the plants and destroy them,” Schadler said.
Personnel with numerous agencies -- including the IRS, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and California National Guard Counter Drug Task Force -- have taken up residence in Fortuna.
The River Lodge conference center is the active mission control center of the operation. But Schadler said he expects agents to vacate the River Lodge by Friday, and the investigation may even wrap up as early as this evening.
Officials stressed from the outset of the operation that 215 patients and medical marijuana dispensaries would not be targeted by the warrants.
In a prepared statement released Wednesday by the FBI, Special Agent in Charge Charlene Thornton, said, “This is not a medical marijuana operation or a group of people growing for personal use. The targets of our investigation are reaping huge profits while contributing to the crime and violence oppressing communities across the state.”
A Sunny Brea man, whose residence was the target of a warrant Tuesday, said agents raided his house by mistake, and confiscated about 35 marijuana plants he said he was growing under 215 regulations.
The man, who would not give his name, said about 10 agents knocked on his door in the morning and showed him the warrant.
”It was a warrant for someone who wasn't there, who I presume was connected to this (commercial growing) deal,” he said. “The FBI stressed that they weren't there for the small 215 garden. They found them, and they said they had to take them, and we didn't contest it.”
The man said agents did not mistreat him, and he was told that no charges would be filed.
”For the most part it was definitely not a cool experience, but it could have been worse,” he said.
Schadler denied the execution of that warrant was a mistake, and said the warrants were for properties, not individuals.
”215 doesn't apply to the feds,” Schadler said. “That grow is associated directly with this overall operation.”
Growing marijuana with a 215 card, Schadler said, is still illegal in federal eyes.
At a glance: Operation Southern Sweep
Value of pot seized: $25 to $60 million
Number of plants: 10,000
Cash: $160,000
Weapons: 30 firearms, including fully automatic weapons
Federal Warrants served: Shelter Cove, 7; Whitethorn, 4; Redway, 4; Ettersburg, 1; Garberville, 1; Miranda, 2; Phillipsville, 1; Arcata, 1 and McKinleyville, 2; plus four served at two properties: one in Southern Humboldt, the other in Northern Mendocino County. Two state warrants.
Agents: 450
Investigation length: Two years
Charges filed: None to date
link:
Seized pot worth $25M to $60M - Times-Standard Online
Feds storm 25 locations in Humboldt County
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