Over $316 million worth of illegal cannabis was seized by California authorities during a recent statewide crackdown.
The operation targeted the illicit cannabis market across multiple counties from Jan. 1 through March 31, according to the California Governor’s Office.
The notable discoveries were due to the combined efforts of the Governor’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
During the crackdown, authorities found:
- 212,681 illegal cannabis plants
- 120,307 pounds of illegal cannabis
- $474,462 cash seized
- 35 firearms
Authorities also served 99 warrants and arrested 29 suspects.
“This task force continues to make impressive progress disrupting illegal cannabis operators and their supply chain,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Chief of the Law Enforcement Division for CDFW.
The Governor’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force’s (UCETF) work included:
- $67,258,232 worth of unlicensed cannabis
- 19 search warrants served
- 77,923 illegal cannabis plants eradicated
- 40,747 pounds of illegal cannabis seized
- $330,808 cash seized
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) enforcement efforts included:
- $97,476,308 worth of illegal cannabis seized
- 47 search warrants served
- 101,473 illegal plants eradicated
- 8,340 pounds of illegal cannabis seized
- 11 firearms seized
- 9 arrests
- $27,073 in cash seized
The Department of Cannabis Control’s (DCC) work included:
- $151,752,966 worth of illegal cannabis seized
- 33 warrants served
- 33,285 illegal plants eradicated
- 71,220 pounds of illegal cannabis seized
- 24 firearms seized
- 20 arrests
- $116,581 in cash seized
“We remain unwavering in our aggressive, strategic approach to reducing illicit cannabis activity,” said Bill Jones, Chief of DCC’s Law Enforcement Division. “By staying ahead of the threats and swiftly dismantling illegal operations, we are driving up the cost of doing business for bad actors and delivering on our commitment to protect California’s communities and the legitimate industry.”
In a previous announcement over illegal cannabis crackdowns, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, “California is taking immediate and aggressive action to stop illegal cannabis and strengthen the burgeoning legal market throughout the state. By shutting down illegal grow sites and applying serious consequences to offenders, we are working to curtail the criminal organizations that are undercutting the regulated cannabis market in California.”
More information about the legal cannabis market, state licenses, and laws in California can be found here.
