Arcata, McKinleyville grow houses busted

72 pounds of bud, over four pound of hash, $50k seized

Humboldt Sentinel staff
9/1/09

Arcata

A two-month investigation by the Arcata Police Department, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s Drug Task Force led to the service of four search warrants and the arrest of six people on marijuana-related charges.

The investigation was the results of citizen complains about drug trafficking, according to APD captain Tom Chapman in a release, and three of the homes searched were in Arcata.

At a home on the 1100 block of Larry Strett, 33-year-old resident Kenneth Dru McCasland was arrested on cultivation, possession and drug house charges, with law enforcement seizing five pounds of bud, 25 pounds of unprocessed marijuana, nearly an ounce of concentrated cannabis and $22,000 in cash.

Officers also called Building Department and Arcata Volunteer Fire Department officials to the scene after discovering electrical wiring in the home had been modified to facilitate an indoor grow, which police described as “unpermitted modifications and hazardous conditions.” The electrical meter was removed by Pacific Gas and Electric until the home’s electrical wiring is in compliance with building codes.

At the 1000 block of Sunset Avenue, 35-year-old resident Jennifer Marie Sandoval was arrested at her home on charges of possession with intent to sell. Officers seized four pounds of bud and $1,200 cash.

Also in Arcata, officers paid a visit to the 1300 block of Beverly Drive where they arrested 36-year-old resident Christopher Lee Robinson on cultivation, possession and drug house charges. Task Force members seized 25 pounds of unprocessed marijuana and $12,300 in cash. Officers also noticed electrical modifications, called Building and Fire officials to the scene, and had PG&E remove the electrical meter.

The final warrant was served at a home on the 1800 block of Fir Avenue in McKinleyville, where 27-year-old resident Paul Eugene Aragon was arrested on cultivation, possession and drug house charges. Officers netted four pounds of hash and $15,000 in cash from inside the house.

Also discovered on scene and arrested for possession charges were 24-year-old Paul Dunnigan and his older brother, 28-year-old Matthew Dunnigan, both from Michigan. In the course of their search, officers found Paul Dunnigan’s 2006 Dodge truck in the garage, where 38 pounds of bud was discovered in a hidden compartment. Officers also seized the truck.

All arrests were made without incident and all four suspects were transported to county jail.