California Seizes $123.5M of Illicit Cannabis in Largest Task Force Operation Yet

The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced that the state’s
Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force — dedicated to stopping illicit
cannabis operators — seized 105,700 plants and 22,057 pounds of illicit
cannabis products during an enforcement action earlier this month.
Officials said it was the task force’s largest cannabis seizure yet, with
an estimated $123.5 million in total value.

“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. I appreciate the multi-agency, cross-county efforts to take on
the illicit market.” — Gov. Newsom, in a press release

Co-lead by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the
Department of Cannabis Control, the operation included 71 search warrants
issued by officers from 15 state, local, and federal law enforcement
agencies throughout Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties. More than 200 sworn
officers and staff were involved, the state said.

“The scale of this enforcement effort reflects the strength of our
partnerships and our shared commitment to holding illicit operators
accountable while protecting communities and ecosystems across the state,”
said Nicole Elliott, director of the Department of Cannabis Control.

Since its creation in 2022, the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force has
seized and destroyed over $650 million in illicit cannabis, including over
800,00 plants and 220 tons of cannabis products. Agencies involved in the
task force have also seized 190 firearms and more than $1 million in cash —
and made over 50 arrests — during joint enforcement actions.