California seizes 63,000 pounds of illegal cannabis worth $104 million in major crackdown

California authorities seized more than 63,000 pounds of illegal cannabis worth over $104 million, along with firearms and cash, during a three-month crackdown targeting organized criminal networks across the state.

Between April and June, authorities carried out enforcement operations across 10 counties, eradicating more than 89,000 cannabis plants, confiscating 17 firearms, seizing more than $220,000 in cash and making 24 arrests, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.

Since Newsom established the state’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force in 2022, California has seized and destroyed more than 841,000 pounds of illicit cannabis valued at more than $1.3 billion.

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“Disrupting the illegal cannabis market is about more than seizing unlicensed products – it’s about taking on criminal networks, removing illegal firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals, and stopping activity that threatens public safety,” Newsom said in a statement.

“Through strong multiagency collaboration, California is making clear: if you threaten our communities, we will act,” he added.

The largest enforcement operation took place between May 14 and June 3 across the southern Central Valley and northern Antelope Valley, where the California Department of Fish and Wildlife led a multiagency effort serving 26 search warrants at illegal cannabis sites in Tulare, Kern and Los Angeles counties.

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Authorities eradicated nearly 24,000 cannabis plants, destroyed roughly 3,700 pounds of processed cannabis, seized cash, and arrested or cited multiple individuals.

Investigators also uncovered numerous environmental violations, including 13 cultivation sites where banned, unregistered or foreign-labeled pesticides were found or suspected.

Kern County accounted for the largest seizure during the three-month operation, with authorities confiscating more than 25,000 pounds of illegal cannabis valued at $41.5 million and destroying 26,442 plants.

Authorities also seized more than 14,500 pounds of illegal cannabis in Alameda County, valued at more than $24 million.

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California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Meghan Hertel said investigators routinely find restricted pesticides at illegal grow sites tied to organized criminal enterprises.

She warned the toxic chemicals threaten wildlife and can also pose a risk to consumers because illegally grown cannabis isn’t tested for safety.