The Ongoing Saga in the Emerald Triangle, Nor Cal

Yaqui for Borderland Beat from: MCSO / Ksro /Lake / Loco

21 Adults and two female juveniles were detained in Wednesday's raid on a Marijuana Growing  Property in the Covelo area of Round Valley, California says MCSO:

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:

On Wednesday August 5, 2020 around 7:30 AM the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force, Marin County Major Crimes Task Force, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Cal FIRE, California Highway Patrol and the California National Guard Counter Drug Team executed a search warrant in the 22100 Block of Airport Road in Covelo. 

The warrant was served on a property where 32 “hoop” style green houses and 13 outdoor marijuana gardens were being cultivated on one parcel. None of the gardens were registered legal growing operations within the state guidance regulating the commercial growing of marijuana. 

Note: An Emerald Triangle Convoy is the opposite of the Narco / Cartel Convoys Often seen here on BB. The National Guard also often joins the above agencies in addition to CaFish and Wildlife. Covelo has been especially targeted by Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall this season as there has been constant violent interactions at illegal grow sights, as well as disappearances, fires and shooting. Only a few weeks ago 4 downtown Covelo buildings were burnt to the ground in an arson fire. The new Sheriff in town  encourages growers to GET LEGAL and illegal grows will continue to be targeted. 

A total of 6970 marijuana plants, ranging in height from 1 foot to 7 feet, were eradicated from the 45 gardens. 1860 pounds of dried marijuana bud was located and destroyed. 

21 adults (listed suspects) were detained at the scene as well as two female juveniles (17 years of age and 5 years of age). The juveniles were released to a relative who responded to pick them up.

Mendocino County Sheriff Office’s photograph of the firearms confiscated at Wednesday’s raid in Round Valley. [Photo provided by Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall]

In one building on the property deputies located a false wall behind which they found 4 assault rifles, one bolt action rifle, and three handguns hidden in the wall (pictured…). One of the handguns was reported stolen out of the Stockton area.

One subject, Ryan Roy-Downey, was located hiding in the trunk of vehicle that was attempting to leave the area. Downey lied about his name and gave the name of a real person. He was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine and had a felony warrant for his arrest for violation of probation. Downey was arrested on the warrant, assuming the name of another to avoid prosecution, and possession of methamphetamine. He was later booked in jail and held on $50,000 bail.

A female, Shelly Leggett, was also found to have an active felony arrest warrant for 32 PC (accessory). She too was transported and booked into the County Jail but was released on the zero bail policy initiated by the state during the COVID 19 Pandemic.

The case remains under investigation and a report will be completed and submitted to the DA’s Office for review of the listed charges. Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 707-234-2100.

Suspect(s):

Fox Hoaglin, 44 years of age, Covelo CA              Shelly Leggett, 38 years of age, Covelo CA

Rolinda Want, 46 years of age, Covelo CA

Shelly Hoaglin, 45 years of age, Covelo CA

Michelle Downy, 51 years of age, Covelo CA

Shawn Want Sr., 52 years of age, Covelo CA

Lourdes Downey, 19 years of age, Covelo CA

Ryan Roy-Downey, 31 years of age, Covelo CA

Raul Molina Garcia, 26 years of age, Michoacan Mexico

Anthony Amante, 45 years of age, Covelo, CA

Manuel Troncoso Escareno, 40 years of age, Zacatecas, Mexico

Christain Cardenas Mendoza, 40 years of age, Jalisco, Mexico

Ivan Arceo, 31 years of age, San Jose, CA

Rolando Gomez Ruiz, 37 years of age, Chiapas, Mexico

Alberto Robles Carrillo, 27 years of age, San Jose, CA

Oracio Lucas Tznucx,  45 years of age, Shutipcic, Guatemala

Raul Alexander Cortez-Barrera, 27 years of age, El Salvador

Julio Cesar Ramos Magana, 31 years of age, Apatzingan, Mexico

Eliseo Vazquez Aguilar, 36 years of age, Chiapas, Mexico

Baldemar Morales Morales, 40 years of age, Chiapas, Mexico

Alberto Robles Carrillo, 27 years of age, San Jose CA

                               A helicopter involved in Covelo/ Round Valley marijuana raid 

In Trinity County:

Press release from the Trinity County Sheriff’s Department:

July 13 – 14, 2020 Narcotics Investigators with the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, along with Wardens and Scientists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Agents with the North State Major Crimes Investigation Team, and members of the California National Guard served search warrants on multiple properties in the areas of Kettenpom and Wool Mountain in Southern Trinity County.

A total of 136,262 marijuana plants were eradicated, 4,592.80 pounds of processed marijuana was destroyed, 11 firearms and $106,900 of US Currency was confiscated. Numerous subjects were detained, interviewed and later released pending charges with the Trinity County District Attorney’s Office. Illegal water diversion, large scale grading, un-permitted structures, as well as numerous other environmental crimes related to marijuana cultivation were discovered. No names or photos released.

The criminal complaints stemming from this operation will be forwarded to the Trinity County District Attorney’s Office. Agencies Involved: Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, Ca Dept of Fish and Wildlife, CaDoJ North State Major Crimes Investigation Team, California National Guard

Meanwhile down in "town" a few hours south in Sonoma County: 

Two Fentanyl drug dealers have been arrested in Rohnert Park but by Santa Rosa Police. After an investigation which began last month, officers Thursday served a search warrant to a residence on Rancho Verde Circle. There they found 5 ounces of powdered Fentanyl, 5 ounces of suspected heroin mixed with fentanyl, two ounces of Methamphetamine, ecstasy pills, prescription medicines, and over $10,000 dollars in cash. The residents, 35-year old Scott Reed and 34-year old Carissa Sypriano, were arrested on various narcotics charges.

In Lake County:

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has arrested a Lakeport man and seized approximately 4 ounces of methamphetamine. Kory Daniel Hudson, 32, was arrested Tuesday morning, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

At 10 a.m. Tuesday narcotics detectives were conducting a probation search in Lakeport when Brooks said they noticed a gold Chevy pickup parked on the street. Detectives saw that the vehicle was occupied and contacted the driver, who was identified as Hudson, Brooks said.

While detectives were talking to Hudson, they noticed he was displaying signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Brooks said they had Hudson exit the vehicle and perform several tests to determine if he was under the influence, which he failed.

Hudson subsequently was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, Brooks said. During a search, detectives located two plastic bags containing methamphetamine in Hudson’s possession. The gross weight of both bags was 123.8 grams or 4.36 ounces.

Hudson also was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale and transportation of a controlled substance, Brooks said. Brooks said Hudson was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. He remained in custody on Tuesday afternoon, with bail set at $35,000.