Humboldt County Sheriff Press Release

2007 Marijuana Eradication Statistics

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Drug Enforcement Unit had a record-breaking year in 2007 in many aspects.  In 2007 the Sheriff's Drug Enforcement Unit made the following seizures:

      *     A total of 355,122 marijuana plants were seized from both indoor and outdoor marijuana grow sites.  This is up from 104,606 plants seized in 2006, and is higher than any year in the recent past.
      *     A total of 317,703 marijuana plants were seized from 238 outdoor marijuana grow sites.  The street value of this marijuana at harvest would have been approximately $1 billion.
      *     A total of 37,419 marijuana plants were seized from 119 indoor marijuana grow sites.  The street value of this marijuana at harvest would have been approximately $28 million.
      *     Approximately 900 pounds of dried processed marijuana bud was seized, with a street value of about $2.7 million, and about 1200 pounds of dry marijuana leaves were seized (commonly used to make hashish or concentrated cannabis) with a street value of about $600,000.
      *     Made 66 arrests for charges relating to the cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana, and an additional 67 arrest warrants were requested through the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office.
      *     The Sheriff's Drug Enforcement Unit served or was involved in the service of 64 search warrants involving the cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana.  Seized pursuant to the search warrants were:
                  *     Approximately $280,000 US Currency. 
                  *     Over $500,000 of assets.  These assets include vehicles, generators, and marijuana grow equipment. 
                  *     73 firearms       
  

In August a 132,000-plant marijuana garden was located in Northeastern Humboldt.  This was the largest outdoor marijuana garden ever located in Humboldt County, and was one of the largest marijuana gardens located in California in 2007.

In December, Fortuna resident Cody Dobbs was convicted in Federal Court for the cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana.  Dobbs will not be sentenced until February of 2008, but is currently in custody and faces a minimum of 10 years in Federal prison. 

These achievements would have not been possible if not for the assistance of allied law enforcement agencies.  In 2007 the Sheriff's Office Drug Enforcement Unit has worked closely with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, the United State Forest Service, the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as many other local, state, and federal agencies. 

GARY PHILP
Sheriff

Press Release Courtesy Brenda Godsey