Deputies from Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino counties began serving search warrants on large-scale grows around Island Mountain on the morning of 22 June 2015, assisted by state Fish and Wildlife officers watching for water diversion and environmental damage.[1] The remote area, where the three Emerald Triangle counties meet, was targeted after residents complained about ecologically abusive commercial grows, and the sheriffs described some of the worst stream damage they had seen.[2]

At a 26 June press conference in Ukiah, Mendocino sheriff Tom Allman put the four-day Operation Emerald Tri-County tally at 86,578 eradicated marijuana plants across 20 warrants.[2][3] Humboldt deputies worked seven parcels off Hogtrap and South Face roads, taking 23,211 plants, 4,394 pounds (about 1,993 kg) of processed marijuana, 15 pounds of hash bricks, 16 firearms and 50,000 rounds, and sent cases to the district attorney; no suspects were found on those parcels.[4] Trinity deputies served four warrants, eradicated 14,000 plants, arrested one person and filed one case, while Mendocino served nine warrants and arrested three, for four arrests in all and none in Humboldt.[2][5]

Guns, cash and value

Accounts differ on firearms: the Humboldt release lists 16 with 50,000 rounds, national coverage put the operation-wide tally at 25 guns with the same ammunition count, and local notes spoke of “several dozen” guns with no arms charges filed.[4][3][5] Officers also seized $8,877 in cash, and Allman estimated the operation-wide street value at about $26 million.[3][5]