A traffic stop of a man who was allegedly tailgating a Humboldt County sheriff’s officer led to the discovery of an illegal marijuana grow site allegedly run by the driver.
The deputy was driving a marked patrol truck southbound on U.S. Highway 101 near Eureka when a pickup truck came up behind him in the fast lane. It remained behind him, following, in the deputy’s opinion, too closely.
The deputy pulled into the slow lane, and the truck passed him at an estimated 80 mph in a 65-mph zone. The deputy caught up with the truck and pulled it over.
The driver — Kevin Bourque, 34, of Eureka — and his two passengers were asked to step out of the truck. A search of the vehicle turned up a bag with about 1 pound of marijuana bud; paperwork indicating marijuana sales; and about $14,500 in cash.
A search warrant was obtained for a Eureka address found on other papers in the car. At that home, deputies seized 497 growing marijuana plants ranging from 3 inches to 4 feet in height, along with approximately 29 pounds of dried marijuana bud.
Bourque was arrested on suspicion of transportation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and violation of probation. Additional charges were sought for conspiracy to commit a felony and cultivation of marijuana.
