Highway 101 through Redwood Valley was a busy place for out-of-towners hauling marijuana last Saturday.
Redwood Valley is a small, rural town along California’s 101 Freeway in inland Mendocino County, north of Ukiah and south of Willits. As Friday night had turned into early Saturday, September 19, a Sheriff’s deputy picked up a speeding vehicle heading south on the freeway, just prior to reaching town. The deputy pulled the car over, and contacted the two men inside, at 12:49 am.
Robert Mandato and Ricar Henriquez – Mendocino County booking photos
According to the Mendocino Sheriff’s office, as the deputy spoke to the driver, Robert Mandato, 43, and the passenger, Richar Henriquez, 39, a clear odor of marijuana was coming from the vehicle. A Mendocino Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy handler was available to assist, and allowed the dog named “Doc” to make his own inspection of the car. The dog grew excited at the trunk, and with probable cause established, the deputies completed the inspection.
22 pounds of processed marijuana was stowed in the trunk, along with a big wad of bills – $60,000.00 worth. Mandato, who lives in Denver, Colorado, and Henriquez, who came from Stony Point, New York, were both arrested for possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana, and criminal conspiracy. Bail was set at $50,000.00.
Trinity Brickey – Mendocino County booking photo
Hopefully Doc and his handler had a good day’s rest that Saturday, because the were busy again that night. At 9:25 pm, while they were once again on Highway 101 north of Redwood Valley, another speeding car was spotted. The deputy stopped the car, and when he addressed the driver, 37-year-old Trinity Paul Brickey, he smelled the familiar scent of marijuana coming from inside. Doc was once again happy to help, and alerted his handler that there was something in the trunk of the car.
A search of his vehicle revealed 54 pounds of processed marijuana. Wherever Brickey was headed, it wasn’t toward home. He resides 200 miles north of Redwood Valley, in the town of Willow Creek in Humboldt County. Brickey was booked at the Mendocino County Jail for transportation of marijuana, and his bail was also set at $50,000.00. Doc was very likely given a special treat for his good work that day.
