On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that they had captured more than 16 tons of marijuana worth an estimated $1.19 billion. The 10-day sting is the department’s largest eradication of illegal marijuana cultivations in its history.
According to officials, the operation began on June 8 and resulted in 22 felony charges, 109 misdemeanor arrests, and 19 arrests by water theft enforcement teams. Search warrants were served at almost 200 locations. A total of over 375,000 marijuana plants and 33,480 pounds of harvested marijuana, as well as 65 vehicles, 180 animals, and $28,000, were seized.
Officials suspect the illegal large-scale marijuana farms are the work of international cartels.
“We’re talking about the cartels,” said Mayor Rex Parris at Wednesday press conference. “We are not talking about mom and pop people selling marijuana that they grew in their backyard. This is the cartels. We are very, very close to driving down the freeway and seeing bodies hanging from the overpasses. That is what’s coming.”
While recreational marijuana usage was legalized in California in 2018, illegal marijuana cultivation has still been rising in the state. According to a June announcement, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Narcotic Bureau discovered over 500 illegal marijuana cultivations in 2021, up from 150 in 2020. The average size of a greenhouse on a farm climbed to 15 from eight the year before.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said, “What we want to do is send a clear and loud message to the cartels and anyone doing an illegal operation in the high desert: Your days are over, and we’re coming for you.”
According to Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, water theft, human trafficking, pollution, and risks to safety and security are among the consequences of illegal marijuana growing by cartels.
Barger said, “This illegal activity is impacting the quality of life for residents and businesses and, if left unaddressed, will have long-lasting and devastating effects in the region.”
She demanded that those apprehended in the operation be prosecuted by the district attorney. Once the district attorney’s prosecution decision is released, Villanueva said he would make it public.
“This is an issue that is plaguing and will continue to plague if we do not make it very uncomfortable, and one way to make it uncomfortable is to prosecute.”
