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Sheriff reports large drug seizures; Round Valley residents raise concerns over enforcement on tribal lands
Summary
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported more than 30,000 plants and over 23,000 pounds of processed marijuana seized along with six firearms; residents questioned whether tribal lands have been exempt from warrants and enforcement, and the sheriff's office said it is awaiting county counsel guidance.
At the Oct. 2 Round Valley Area Municipal Advisory Council meeting, Lt. Lorenzo reported recent law-enforcement activity across northern Mendocino County, including "Over 30K plants and over 23K pounds of processed marijuana were seized along with 6 firearms and cash," and that last week the office handled 521 calls for service countywide, with 145 in Round Valley resulting in 19 reports.
Resident Lew Chichester told the MAC that some people in the valley believe enforcement is uneven — "they were busted but ‘next door was not’" — and asked why smaller grow sites appear to be raided while larger operations are not. Lt. Lorenzo responded that MCSO "is not serving warrants on tribal land right now due to the threats by the tribal attorney to being litigation," and that the department has referred the matter to county counsel while it awaits guidance.
Lt. Lorenzo also said environmental crimes have prompted search warrants and asked residents to report issues to Fish & Game or MCSO so they can be forwarded appropriately. The exchange left the question of enforcement on tribal land unsettled: the sheriff's office described a pause in serving warrants on tribal land while seeking legal advice, and residents expressed ongoing concern about perceived selective enforcement.
