California Officials Eradicate 67k+ Plants in ‘Largest Ever’ Cannabis Enforcement Action

California’s United Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) last month eradicated 67,045 illegally cultivated cannabis plants and seized 8,019 pounds of processed cannabis as part of its crackdown on illicit cannabis operations. In all, the plants and processed cannabis were worth an estimated $68.5 million 

The operation, from July 11-13, included 24 search warrants and also uncovered a dozen firearms. The warrants were served in Whitney Creek, Harry Cash, and Shasta Vistas areas in Siskiyou County. The UCETF describe the enforcement action as its “largest ever.”  

“The operation targeted illegal cannabis cultivation sites that threaten the environment, workers, and other members of the public,” the UCETF said in a press release. “The sites in question were associated with suspected environmental violations, including the use of unlawful pesticides and other toxic chemicals. These dangerous chemicals not only degrade California’s natural resources, but also endanger workers and others exposed to them.” 

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) created the multiagency task force in October 2022. In May, the UCETF said that from January 1 through March 30 it had seized more than $52 million in unlicensed cannabis and cannabis products despite serving nine fewer warrants than the previous quarter.  

From October 2022 to May 2023, the UCETF seized $84,652,875 in unlicensed cannabis through the serving of 51 search warrants, while eradicating 82,216 plants and seizing 13 firearms.