Good Days for EPD, Bad Ones for Scoundrels

Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel

The Eureka Police Department has been on a roll lately making busts, according to the cornucopia of recent releases.

Squatters Wheel and Deal

On November 14, at about 10 in the morning, investigators with the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit conducted a probation search at an apartment located on the 1400 block of Bay Street in Eureka.  This was in response to complaints that non-renters had illegally moved into the apartment resulting in increased “traffic” there.

Investigators contacted Steven Nicholas Upton, age 22,  and his girlfriend, Beatrice Braheda Runner, 24, both from Eureka, inside the apartment.

A records check confirmed Runner had 5 active warrants for her arrest for offenses including:  possession of a controlled substance; petty theft; and possession of marijuana.  Ms. Runner was also currently on formal probation for possession of a controlled substance.

During a search of the apartment, investigators located a loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, ammunition, and approximately 24 ½ ounces– or 1.5 pounds– of processed marijuana bud that was packed for sale in multiple bags.

Investigators also found additional evidence of drug sales activity including a:

• Digital scale
• Indicia indicating narcotics trafficking
• Packaging materials
• $1,550.00 cash (suspected drug sales proceeds)
• And a large quantity of cutting agents including MSM and super lactose powder

The MSM was packaged in a manner and appearance made to look as if it was approximately 1 ½ ounces of crystal methamphetamine for sale in 5 individual baggies.

Upton and Runner were arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where they were booked for:

• Possession of marijuana for sale
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Maintaining a place for the purpose of unlawfully selling, giving away, or using a controlled substance
• And other drug related offenses.

Additionally, Ms. Runner was arrested and booked on her warrants.

The R Street Bust Leads to Another 86 Pounds in Dinsmore

On November 13, the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP) served a search warrant at a suspected marijuana sales house on the 1600 block of ‘R’ Street, Eureka.  The warrant was part of an investigation into a large scale commercial marijuana growing operation involving multiple suspects and properties.

During the service of the search warrant, resident Kevin James Hulcy, 30, of Eureka, was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for possession of marijuana for sale and maintaining a space for unlawfully manufacturing, storing, or distributing a controlled substance.  POP investigators located and seized approximately 24 pounds of processed marijuana bud packaged for sale, 5 firearms, $38,706.00 cash (suspected marijuana sales proceeds), and other evidence indicative of illegal, commercial marijuana cultivation.

During the course of the investigation, EPD investigators also obtained evidence identifying the location of a second rural property in the Dinsmore area associated with the suspects and their illegal marijuana cultivation and sales operation.  This information was relayed to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office’s Community Response Unit.  That afternoon, Deputies, assisted by Agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force and a POP investigator, executed a search warrant at the property.

Approximately 86 more pounds of processed marijuana was located and seized on the property, some of which the suspects had apparently hastily attempted to hide.

Which Led to the Other Bust of Many Guns– But Little Weed

On November 15 at about 9:30 a.m., POP investigators served a search warrant on a second residence associated with the suspects’ commercial marijuana growing operation.  This residence was also located on the 1600 block of ‘R’ Street near Mr. Hulcy’s house– but the second property did not belong to Hulcy.

During a search of the two-story residence, investigators found evidence of a large recently harvested and trimmed indoor marijuana growing operation.  A substantial section of the residence–3 rooms in the back– had been converted into a marijuana cultivation and processing space. The grow appeared to have been for-profit in nature and was additionally out-of-compliance with Eureka’s Medical Cannabis Ordinance, EPD said.

Investigators seized 15 firearms from the residence including rifles, shotguns, and pistols.  Investigators also located and seized approximately a ½ pound of processed marijuana bud believed to be packaged for sale in multiple bags.

Officers also observed a potential electrical fire hazard associated with the indoor marijuana growing operation due to unpermitted wiring etc. PG&E was contacted to disconnect the electrical service to the residence.

Charges including:

• Unlawful marijuana cultivation
• Possession of marijuana for sale
• And maintaining a place for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, storing, or distributing a controlled substance

–are anticipated to be requested against the residents, who were not home at the time the warrant was served.

Small Potatoes:

At approximately 10 a.m., POP investigators also conducted a related probation search at a residence on the 900 block of ‘N’ Street Eureka. Travis Matthew Collins, age 28 of Eureka, was contacted and detained at the residence.  Collins was on felony formal probation for DUI.

During a search of Collin’s home pursuant to his probation status, investigators located a Winchester 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun and Remington 30-06 caliber semi-automatic rifle concealed under the mattress in his bedroom.  Investigators also found approximately 3 ounces of processed marijuana in his room.

Collins was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Pokey where he was booked for probation violation and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This is an on-going investigation and additional arrests may follow.

As always, EPD asks anyone with information concerning suspected drug activity occurring in the City to please call:

• The Problem Oriented Policing Unit at (707) 441-4373
• The Humboldt County Drug Task Force at (707) 444-8095.
• Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding criminal and drug activity, is encouraged to call the HCSO (707) 445-7251 or
• The Sheriff’s Office Tip line (707) 268-2539.

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(Posted by Skippy Massey)