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On January 29, 2009, an Angels Camp man and his son were contacted by park rangers at a trailhead adjacent to highway 299 at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The ranger noticed the two trying to hide a box in their car as he approached. The investigation revealed that a drug deal had just taken place and the two were preparing to leave for home. The two men claimed that they were holders of doctors’ prescriptions for medical marijuana, but neither had valid or current prescriptions in their possession. Searching the vehicle rangers found 982.5 grams of marijuana (over 2.16 lbs), 30 grams of hashish, 16.4 grams of labeled marijuana seeds, and smoking paraphernalia.

Chief Ranger Jim Richardson wants others to know that “unlike the rest of the state, possession of any amount of controlled substance on federal property is a violation of federal law. Whiskeytown is a unit of the National Park Service and is federal property where federal law does not recognize otherwise valid prescriptions for marijuana.”

The Angles Camp man, Alin Malmin, was arrested on felony possession charges and taken to the Shasta County jail for processing. Alin Malmin told rangers he had paid a friend $3,000 for the drugs. His son, Erik Malmin, was ticketed for possessing a small amount of marijuana and released pending a court appearance.

Chief Ranger Richardson wants others to know that the rangers take all drug possession and use seriously. “Last year rangers investigated and prosecuted 126 cases, plus multiple investigations involving illegal cultivation. We want Whiskeytown to be a drug free environment where everyone can feel comfortable bringing their families.” For further information, contact Chief Ranger Richardson at 530-242-3413.