Authorities disclose almost $400,000 spent on Southern Sweep

By JOHN C. OSBORN , The Eureka Reporter

Published: Aug 23 2008, 11:19 PM · Updated: Aug 23 2008, 11:20 PM


The U.S. Postal Inspection Service spent at least $48,000 in its part in June's Operation Southern Sweep and had about 99 inspectors across the Western U.S. working on the investigation. Combined with the $347,000 spent by the California Department of Justice, law enforcement agencies involved in the operation spent at least $395,000 to break up an alleged commercial marijuana grow operation that spanned Humboldt and Mendocino counties.

According to a Freedom of Information Act response to an inquiry by The Eureka Reporter about the costs of the operation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service reported that it spent at least $48,000 in operating costs during the almost weeklong raid between June 24 and 28.

About 99 inspectors from the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Phoenix Divisions of the office of Global Security and Investigations "assisted with an estimated 8,050 hours expended for the investigation," the response stated.

In terms of how much that translates into dollars, it's not known at this time.

U.S. Postal Inspector for the San Francisco Branch Hillary Smith said she couldn't find that specific information on Friday.

"As far as I can tell," she said, "(the salaries) are not public information."

The Eureka Reporter also sent out Freedom of Information Act requests to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency and Internal Revenue Service — all agencies involved in the operation.

Requests to both the FBI and DEA are still pending.

The IRS denied the request, as the records could not be found.

Even if found, the IRS stated in a response letter that the information would be exempt from public disclosure on a number of grounds, including a claim that disclosure would "reveal law enforcement techniques, procedures and guidelines protected" by the Freedom of Information Act.

The operation brought about 450 federal, state and local law enforcement personnel together, where they raided 23 locations across the county, including two large chunks of property.

The raids mainly occurred in southern Humboldt County, in areas including Redway, Whitethorn and Garberville.

Agents also raided one alleged grow house in Arcata.

Law enforcement officials served a total of 29 search warrants.

The operation was the result of a two-year investigation by the DOJ, and netted about 16,000 marijuana plants, $200,000 in cash and 53 firearms, which included assault rifles.

No arrests have been made as of yet, but officials said in past interviews that it could take months before anyone behind the alleged commercial grows is brought before a judge.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Russoniello filed a "Notice of Forfeiture Action" earlier this month on properties connected with the Whitethorn-based Lost Paradise Land Corporation in both Humboldt and Mendocino counties, according to documents in the Humboldt County Recorder's Office.

Although the vast majority of properties on that document are found in Mendocino County, the two properties found in Humboldt County have a total value of $40,700, according to assessor information.

(John C. Osborn can be reached at josborn@eurekareporter.com, or at 707-269-7445.)


http://eurekareporter.com/article/080823-authorities-disclose-spenditure-on-southern-sweep