Through July and August, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Marijuana Enforcement Team conducted operations at six publicly accessible sites throughout the state and uncovered illegal cannabis grows hidden within sensitive habitats and watersheds in five counties.
The grow sites were uncovered in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Tehama Counties, including on Forest Service property, a municipal water district property, and underdeveloped private properties.
In a statement, CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham said that “Nearby communities and fish and wildlife depend on clean water from these watersheds.”
“When criminals steal or destroy the natural resources that support California’s extraordinary biodiversity, we are committed to stopping them – and we have the teams in place to do that, no matter how far into the wilderness they try to hide their operations.” — Bonham in a press release
Officials concluded the grows were operated by transnational criminal organizations, and eight suspects were arrested and charged with depositing hazardous substances on land belonging to another; cannabis cultivation resulting in pollution of waters of the state; cannabis cultivation causing substantial environmental harm to public lands; cultivation of cannabis with unlawful take; and resisting arrest.
The action led to the eradication of 21,000 cannabis plants, the destruction of 150 pounds of processed cannabis, the removal of more than 2,300 pounds of trash and infrastructure, and the seizure of two illegal firearms.
