Traffic stop in Southern Humboldt uncovers explosives, firearms, search warrants

A routine traffic stop in Garberville escalated into a multi-agency explosives and firearms case after California Highway Patrol officers found homemade destructive devices inside an impounded vehicle and later uncovered more weapons and bomb-making material tied to the same investigation.

The chain of events began April 15, 2025, when CHP Garberville stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and learned the driver had a suspended license. Officers impounded the car and, during an inventory search, found a bag containing homemade explosive devices. The Humboldt County Regional Bomb Squad determined the items met the legal definition of destructive devices under California law, and officers also found two firearms in the vehicle.

CHP identified the occupants as Andivere Hill and Andizere Hill, both 33. Both were booked into Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of possession of destructive devices and being prohibited persons in possession of a firearm. CHP Northern Division Investigative Services Unit then took over the case and obtained a search warrant for an American Canyon residence linked to the brothers.

That search reportedly turned up five firearms, including a revolver, two rifles and two shotguns, one of them short-barreled. Investigators also seized several hundred rounds of ammunition, a high-capacity magazine, illegal fireworks and additional material used to make more destructive devices. California law generally bans assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, and state statute defines destructive devices to include bombs, grenades and similar explosive devices.

The investigation then moved back to Southern Humboldt. On April 18, 2025, CHP Northern Division ISU, CHP SWAT, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, CHP Garberville Area officers and CAL FIRE law-enforcement personnel served another search warrant in Alderpoint. Local reporting said the operation staged at the CHP office in Redway before moving toward Steelhead Road in Alderpoint, where Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jesse Taylor confirmed deputies were serving a warrant and said at least two adults were detained.

That Alderpoint search uncovered several pounds of material used to make explosive devices, prompting hazardous-device specialists and sheriff’s explosive ordnance disposal personnel to carry out two controlled detonations on site. Investigators also seized an assault rifle, two pistols and numerous rounds of ammunition. Andironere Hill, 33, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a destructive device, possessing an assault weapon and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.

What began as a traffic violation in Garberville widened into a regional public-safety investigation stretching from Southern Humboldt to Mendocino County and American Canyon, with officers treating the case as far more than an ordinary firearms arrest.