U.S. ATTORNEY FILES COMPLAINTS FOR FORFEITURE AGAINST RAIDED PROPERTIES

The government is seeking the forfeiture of several Southern Humboldt
and Mendocino properties which were the subject of federal marijuana
raids last week.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Russoniello filed two complaints for forfeiture
identifying more than 20 parcels where federal agents reportedly
found nearly 80 marijuana gardens and more than 12,000 plants during
what they dubbed "Operation Southern Sweep."

More than 450 federal agents served 29 search warrants in Humboldt
and Mendocino counties last week, targeting what officials called a
"large-scale, for profit, commercial business." No criminal charges
have been filed to date, according to the FBI.

According to United States Code, any properties used to manufacture a
controlled substance are subject to forfeiture to the federal government.

The complaints first reported in the North Coast Journal were filed
with the Humboldt County Recorder's Office last week and list a total
of seven properties, three of which can reportedly be traced to an
individual identified as Robert Juan.

The two largest holdings identified in the complaints were listed as
reportedly belonging to Juan and Lost Paradise Land Corp. Juan is
identified the corporation's president in other documents filed with
the county.

The complaint states that Juan was allegedly the owner of 960 acres
spread over four parcels in Mendocino County that were raided last
week. According to the complaint, agents allegedly discovered 25
acres cleared for marijuana cultivation and found more than 24
marijuana gardens on the property.

Agents also reported finding almost 4,000 plants on the property, as
well as manure, fertilizer, piles of top soil, irrigation equipment
and other items associated with marijuana cultivation, the complaint states.

Lost Paradise Land Corp. reportedly also owns land raided by the
federal agents and was the subject of the same complaint for
forfeiture. According to the documents filed with the county, the
corporation is said to own 945 acres spread over 12 parcels where
agents reportedly found 36 acres cleared for cultivation and more
than 46 marijuana gardens containing more than 7,000 plants.

Agents also reportedly found irrigation equipment, fertilizers and
other items associated with marijuana cultivation, according to the report.

A third property identified in the complaint spanned two parcels in
Mendocino County where agents reported finding a greenhouse with 164
marijuana plants, in addition to a variety of growing materials and
an ATV, according to the complaint.

The complaint lists the alleged property owners as Paul Sayers and
Graeson Prescott, who is listed in other county documents as Lost
Paradise Land Corp.'s treasurer.

The other complaint cites four Southern Humboldt County properties
for forfeiture, all of which were reportedly home to substantially
smaller growing operations.

A home on the 1500 block of Briceland Thorn Road in Whitethorn, which
the complaint states is allegedly owned by Donovan and Lynne Henry,
reportedly had two separate gardens, according to the documents.

Agents allegedly found 72 marijuana plants growing in the attic of
the main house, as well as 172 more in two green houses on the
property. The documents also state that eight pounds of processed
marijuana were reportedly found in a duffle bag on the property.

The complaint also states that a home on the 400 block of Par Avenue
in Redway is reportedly owned by the Fowler Family Trust. There,
agents allegedly found a marijuana garden with almost 150 plants
growing under four lights, in addition to 15 pounds of processed
marijuana found in a bedroom, according to the complaint.

Juan's name again came up in the fourth complaint, which alleges he
co-owns a property in the 3600 block of Miranda's Thomas Road with
Alishia Stone. On that property, the complaint states agents
allegedly found nearly 140 plants growing in three different structures.

The last property listed in the complaint was in the 400 block of
Redway's Eel River Lane, which allegedly contained a green house with
about 400 marijuana plants growing under 12 lights, some of which the
complaint states were motorized to move back and forth over the plant canopy.

The complaints state that none of the properties have been seized,
but that notices of the complaints have been served to the owners of record.

Officials described last week's action as evidence gathering, and no
arrest warrants were issued, according to FBI Special Agent Joseph Schadler.

According to authorities, properties were raided in Arcata,
McKinleyville, Shelter Cove, Whitethorn, Redway, Ettersburg,
Garberville, Miranda and Phillipsville.

The investigation that led to the raids began in 2006 when members of
California's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement began looking into what
the FBI called a "California-based organization" that purchased
roughly 2,000 acres of land on two tracts of mountainous land.

Schadler said he doesn't expect to see any charges filed in the case
for a a few months.