Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 Source: Willits News (CA) Copyright: 2008 Willits News Contact: http://www.willitsnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4085 Author: Linda Williams, TWN Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?208 (Environmental Issues) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom