Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:
On 11-02-2012 at about 1000 hours the Humboldt County Drug Task Force served a search warrant at a residence located in the 2600 block of Manzanita Avenue, Eureka. No one was at home when the search warrant was served.
Agents located a commercial marijuana growing operation in the garage, which is attached to the residence. Agents seized 267 growing marijuana plants that ranged in size from 3 foot to 4 foot in height. Agents seized $ 3,700 dollars in cash from inside of the residence.
When Agents were at the residence they noticed a possible electrical fire hazard with the indoor marijuana cultivation that was occurring in the garage. Agents contacted Humboldt County Building and Planning Department, who then responded to the scene. After inspecting the electrical wiring associated with the indoor marijuana growing operation, Humboldt County Building and Planning Department determined there was a possible fire hazard. Humboldt County Building and Planning Department then contacted PG&E to have the electrical power turned off to the residence.
In searching the residence Agents learned that Jennifer Brook Koopman age 38 lives in the residence along with her 7-year-old daughter. Agents learned that Koopman was at work in Arcata. Agents then responded to Arcata and located Koopman at her place of work. Koopman was placed under arrest for cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana, for maintaining a residence for manufacturing of a controlled substance. Koopman was also arrested for child endangerment because of the electrical fire hazard associated with the indoor marijuana growing operation.
Koopman’s 7-year old daughter was placed into custody of a local relative. Humboldt County Child Welfare Services was contacted and will investigate the living conditions of the child.
This case is still under investigation by the Humboldt County Drug Task Force.
This article appears in Banished.
Ok, I understand it’s their job to go after drugs, but don’t you think maybe it might have a bigger impact to go after the crazy huge grows out in the hills and on public land that poach wildlife and dump pesticides and fertilizers into our watersheds?!
Instead, another family is broken up, and a kid is wondering where her mother is!
“placed into custody of a local relative”
Don’t pretend for a minute the family has been broken up.
Growers get slaps on the wrist in this county. That’s why anyone and everyone grows, because there’s no downside except, maybe, getting your photo posted on a blog. A photo kept on a blog (for how many years, all the time googable) is more serious than the punishment the DA will seek for a grower.
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t the President of Arcata Main Street also one of the main people behind “nip it in the bud” , and the anti medical marijuana ordinance, and the “grow house” tax?
Yes in deed.
Arcata Main Street President Robin Hashem