ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AT LONGVALE BUST

When the Mendocino County sheriff's deputies moved in on the 2,000
plant indoor pot grow and hashish manufacturing site at Longvale
along the Eel River, they were concerned about possible hazardous
materials found at the site. Further investigation determined while
there was some oil spillage and some used motor oil, there is likely
no long term environmental damage at the site, although the final
determination awaits test results, says Jim Harrison an environmental
investigator with the Mendocino County Department of Environmental Health.

The grow/manufacturing site was powered by a large diesel generator,
with a 1,000 gallon tank, according to investigators. In the
generator area, there were several containers of used motor oil.
While Harrison was assessing the generator site, a deputy stepped
through a plywood cover revealing a pit of black liquid ooze.

Harrison widened the hole in the plywood and sampled the liquid
inside. He performed a series of hazardous material tests and
determined the pit contained very little hydrocarbons and was likely
to be an old septic pit. The plywood top and walls appear to be about
20 years old, says Harrison. He took further samples and forwarded
them to a local lab for assessment. While waiting for the sample
results, which will take about two weeks, the pit was covered and the
area secured. The used motor oil was consolidated into two 5-gallon
containers and has been properly disposed of.

The grow/manufacturing site is a bit unusual. The 2,000 plants were
growing in two large barns in a two-story arrangement with the
smaller cloned starter plants in the bottom five-foot high level.
Each area was equipped with grow lights and a watering system, say deputies

According to police, the drug manufacturing area was equipped to make
both hashish and "honey oil." THC (the main psychoactive ingredient
in marijuana) is extracted from the waste marijuana shakes, stems and
seeds into the "honey oil" allowing the whole plant to be used for sale.

Marco Antonio Guerra, 33, a Mexican national living in Downey,
remains in custody in the Mendocino County jail on an Immigration and
Naturalization Service hold after being arrested January 16 on
suspicion of acquisition of proceeds of a felony, illegal entry into
U.S., being a felon in possession of firearm, special enhancement for
committing a crime while serving a prior sentence, cultivation and
transportation of marijuana for sale and possession of a controlled substance.

Thomas Anthony Kim, 29, of La Miranda, was released after posting
bail. Kim was arrested January 16 on suspicion of acquisition of
proceeds of a felony, being a felon in possession of firearm, special
enhancement for committing a crime while serving a prior sentence,
cultivation and transportation of marijuana for sale, possession of a
controlled substance and violating probation.

Investigations are continuing into the operation. So far, deputies
have confiscated more than $45,000 in cash, a number of firearms,
2,000 pot plants, psilocybin mushrooms and the drug ecstasy.