By | Reza Sadeghzadeh
Humboldt County reported 352 people missing in 2015, and according to ABC News, “That’s more people missing per capita than any other county in California.”
It would be fair to say that the black market of the cannabis industry is a probable reason behind the high rate of missing people in our county.
Students and “trimigrants” become vulnerable when they decide to go in the hills to trim, which subsequently makes them dependent on their “employer” without any recourse.
“Students from the nearest college, Humboldt State University, return from a summer of trimming marijuana buds with takes of being forced to give their boss a blow job to get paid,” said Shoshana Walter of The Huffington Post. “During one harvest season, two growers began having sex with their teenage trimmer. When they feared she would run away, they locked her inside an oversized toolbox with breathing holes.”
Money is a huge factor for many college students and cash-paying trimming gigs can help tremendously. But you must be aware of the potential outcomes.
Consider these following things before trimming for a grower:
First and foremost, who are you going to be trimming for and how well do you know them? It is not wise to trim for a stranger, so make sure you know who you are dealing with.
“We have Russian mafia up here, we have Mexican mafia up here and we have Asian triad gangs up here, because the marijuana industry is money,” said Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy Greg O’Rourke.
Most HSU students are not informed about the involvement of these criminal organizations in Humboldt’s cannabis industry, which is why it is important to know who you are trimming for.
If you decide to go in the hills for a trimming gig, make sure you know where the farm is located. Also, let a friend or family member know about your plan prior to your departure.
In all fairness, some growers are law-abiding citizens and treat their trimmers with decency, but that might not always be the case. That’s why you should be cautious before accepting any job offers. If you don’t, there is a chance you might go missing.
