The Humboldt County Drug Task Force announced the largest one-time seizure of narcotics in its history yesterday after serving six search warrants at locations stretching from McKinleyville to Fortuna, resulting in one arrest. The yield — the culmination of a nearly one year investigation — included 30 pounds of methamphetamine, 5.5 pounds of cocaine, 3 […]
cash
Posted inNews
Former Rohnert Park Officers Face Charges in Alleged Shake Down of Drivers for Cash, Cannabis
The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of California unsealed charges today against two former Rohnert Park police officers suspected of conducting undocumented traffic stops to shake down drivers for cannabis and cash. According to a news release, Brendon Jacy Tatum and Joseph Huffaker are facing conspiracy to commit extortion under color of office […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Payouts in the Park
As the Journal went to press Feb. 25, the city of Rohnert Park was set to approve nearly $1.5 million in payments to settle multiple lawsuits alleging its police force conspired to steal cannabis and cash during illegal traffic stops. The settlements include $287,500 to be paid to Huedell Freeman, a cannabis farmer based in […]
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Should Stores be Required to Accept Cash?
A small, but growing number of businesses are no longer accepting cash. Owners say that accepting only credit cards, debit cards or digital wallets like Apple Pay is more efficient and lowers the risk of being robbed. Electronic forms of payments are gaining popularity with consumers. But the cash-free trend has raised concerns that such […]
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Task Force Finds 6 Pounds of Heroin in Bust
The Humboldt County Drug Task Force is continuing its record string of heroin seizures. The task force reported this morning that agents served a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of Warren Creek Road in Arcata and located approximately 6 pounds of suspected heroin, as well as $6,000 in cash believed to […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Don’t Bank on It
It looks like the California cannabis industry will remain largely a cash enterprise for the foreseeable future. The 18-member Cannabis Banking Working Group chaired by State Treasurer John Chiang issued a 151-page report detailing why creating a public banking system to accommodate the legal weed industry would be so expensive, difficult and legally iffy that […]
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The Trump Card
There’s no doubt that marijuana money plays a pivotal role in Humboldt County’s economy, not only buoying the balance sheets of local businesses but also the budgets of local police agencies. Over the years, millions in seized cash and property have gone toward Humboldt County Drug Task Force operations — basically paying for almost everything […]
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New Pot Banking Guidelines Moot in CA?
Thanks to some recent direction from the Obama administration, banks are now allowed to do business with folks who make their living in the legal marijuana trade. But, maybe not in California. In response to a growing uneasiness with the cannabis cash conundrum, spurred at least in part by the introduction of legal recreational marijuana […]