California Law Enforcement Seizes $124 Million in Illegal Marijuana in One Week

Gov. Gavin Newsom issues a warning for illegal marijuana growers in the wake of the state’s largest illicit cannabis seizure.

Police officers raid an illegal cannabis site in Lancaster, Calif., on Aug. 14, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

In one week, California authorities seized nearly 106,000 illegal marijuana plants and over 22,000 pounds of processed cannabis worth $123.5 million, in the state’s largest illicit drug enforcement operation, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on May 21.

“Let this be a reminder to all who grow cannabis illegally: we won’t tolerate the undermining of our legal industry and impacts to our environment,” Newsom said in a statement.

The United Cannabis Enforcement Task Force, made up of over 200 sworn officers and staff from 15 state, local, and federal agencies, coordinated a search-warrant operation in Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties.

The operation covered about 4,600 square miles in Central California during the week of May 5, according to the governor’s office.

It said that authorities served 71 search warrants, confiscating nine firearms.

Multiple people were detained during the operation, and several arrests were made. Newsom did not release the names of those arrested.

Task force partners were working on Thursday with local district attorneys to file charges and pursue prosecutions, according to the governor’s statement.

“This operation represents the power of collaboration across agencies with a shared commitment to protecting our natural resources and preserving the integrity of California’s legal cannabis market,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham, a task force member.

During the operation, officers allegedly found evidence of banned or restricted pesticides at eight locations. The chemicals and waste products “pose a serious environmental threat to California’s native species, plants, and habitats and present health risks to those who ingest the illicit cannabis laced with these products,” Newsom’s office said.

The governor said the operation is expected to disrupt the illegal marijuana market that has persisted in California since the drug was legalized in 2016 and, according to officials, has attracted cartels that grow large amounts of illegal weed in rural counties.

The Golden State has implemented additional regulations to increase penalties against illegal operations and support the legal cannabis industry as retailers struggle.

In related news, over $5.5 million in illegal cannabis was seized in Los Angeles County, the California Department of Cannabis Control reported on May 22.

Illegal cannabis grows at Anza Borrego Desert State Park. California State Parks

The state agency partnered with the Los Angeles and Monrovia police departments to shut down unlicensed cannabis retailers.

“During the operation, enforcement officials also found evidence potentially linking the operation to human trafficking, which is now under investigation,” the department posted on Facebook.

“As part of our mission to protect public safety and uphold a responsible, regulated cannabis market, [the department] continues to support local law enforcement in targeting illegal operations that put communities at risk.”

Authorities say they uncovered over 2,900 pounds of illegal marijuana flower, 114 pounds of illegal cannabis edibles, 83 pounds of illegal cannabis concentrate, and 76 pounds of illegal cannabis vape cartridges.