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Oct 21, 2025
California's Cannabis Task Force Seizes and Eradicates Over $222 Million in Illegal Cannabis in Q3 2025
What you need to know: Between July and September 2025, California's Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) conducted 17 multiagency operations across 15 counties, seizing and eradicating more than 66.5 tons of illegal cannabis valued at over $222 million. More than 234,000 cannabis plants were destroyed during these coordinated enforcement actions.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California's cannabis enforcement efforts led to the seizure and destruction of over $222 million worth of illegal cannabis from July to September 2025. Partners across state government, a part of the California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) worked together to seize illegal cannabis, plants and firearms from unlawful cannabis operations across California.
California remains committed to protecting consumers, public safety, and supporting our legal cannabis market. These enforcement actions send a clear message: Illegal operations will not be tolerated.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Q3 Enforcement Highlights
The largest enforcement action of the quarter took place in July in Monterey County, where UCETF partners led by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department dismantled a major illegal cultivation site. In the weeks following the operation, Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), California and local authorities destroyed more than 38 tons of cannabis, valued at over $125 million—one of the most significant cannabis enforcement efforts in state history.
"The impact from illegal cannabis operators is real," said DCC Director Nicole Elliott. "They do not just break the law, they put our neighborhoods, environment, and licensed cannabis businesses at risk. These enforcement actions demonstrate continued dedication to protecting our communities and building a legal and safe cannabis market California consumers can trust."
In August, UCETF partners led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) eradicated nearly 27,000 illegal cannabis plants valued at more than $22 million in Los Angeles County, detaining 20 suspects and seizing toxic pesticides imported from China. In Napa County, California State Parks officers halted a water diversion in a state park linked to illegal cultivation and, during an unrelated emergency, rescued a kidnapped child. The swift response ensured the child's safe recovery, and the arrest of a suspect wanted for multiple violent felonies.
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Top Five Counties by Enforcement Impact
This quarter's enforcement success was the result of a coordinated multiagency effort involving dozens of state, local, and federal partners. In addition to DCC and CDFW, participating state departments included: California State Parks, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the California Department of Justice (CalDOJ), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Their combined expertise and resources were critical in identifying, investigating, and dismantling illegal cannabis operations across the state.
"Illegal cannabis grow operations take—and often contaminate—natural resources that California's fish and wildlife depend on for their survival," said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. "California is fortunate to have so many partners working in coordination to dismantle these unlicensed commercial grow sites statewide and prioritize both our public safety and the health of our environment."
About UCETF
UCETF was established in 2022 by Governor Newsom to enhance collaboration and enforcement coordination between state, local, and federal partners. The taskforce is co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and coordinated by the Homeland Security Division of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). It includes more than two dozen local, state, and federal partners working together to disrupt the illegal cannabis market.
Since its inception in 2022, UCETF partners have seized and destroyed over 325 tons of illicit cannabis products, valued at more than $913 million, through more than 580 search warrant operations across 28 counties. They have also eradicated over 1 million cannabis plants, made 72 arrests, and seized more than $1.3 million in cash and 223 firearms.
To learn more about the legal California cannabis market, state licenses, and laws, visit cannabis.ca.gov.
To learn how to recognize and report illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands in California, see CDFW's fact sheet.
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Unlicensed outdoor cultivations located in Ukiah, Mendocino County, on 09-09-2025.
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Oct 21, 2025
California's Cannabis Task Force Seizes and Eradicates Over $222 Million in Illegal Cannabis in Q3 2025
What you need to know: Between July and September 2025, California's Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) conducted 17 multiagency operations across 15 counties, seizing and eradicating more than 66.5 tons of illegal cannabis valued at over $222 million. More than 234,000 cannabis plants were destroyed during these coordinated enforcement actions.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California's cannabis enforcement efforts led to the seizure and destruction of over $222 million worth of illegal cannabis from July to September 2025. Partners across state government, a part of the California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) worked together to seize illegal cannabis, plants and firearms from unlawful cannabis operations across California.
California remains committed to protecting consumers, public safety, and supporting our legal cannabis market. These enforcement actions send a clear message: Illegal operations will not be tolerated.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Q3 Enforcement Highlights
- 133,372 pounds of illegal cannabis destroyed
- 234,198 cannabis plants eradicated, which would have used up to 105 million gallons of water over their growing cycles
- 18 arrests made
- 22 firearms confiscated
- Enforcement activity spanned 15 counties, including Monterey, Los Angeles, Kern, Alameda, and Shasta
The largest enforcement action of the quarter took place in July in Monterey County, where UCETF partners led by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department dismantled a major illegal cultivation site. In the weeks following the operation, Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), California and local authorities destroyed more than 38 tons of cannabis, valued at over $125 million—one of the most significant cannabis enforcement efforts in state history.
"The impact from illegal cannabis operators is real," said DCC Director Nicole Elliott. "They do not just break the law, they put our neighborhoods, environment, and licensed cannabis businesses at risk. These enforcement actions demonstrate continued dedication to protecting our communities and building a legal and safe cannabis market California consumers can trust."
In August, UCETF partners led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) eradicated nearly 27,000 illegal cannabis plants valued at more than $22 million in Los Angeles County, detaining 20 suspects and seizing toxic pesticides imported from China. In Napa County, California State Parks officers halted a water diversion in a state park linked to illegal cultivation and, during an unrelated emergency, rescued a kidnapped child. The swift response ensured the child's safe recovery, and the arrest of a suspect wanted for multiple violent felonies.
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Top Five Counties by Enforcement Impact
| County | Cannabis Destroyed (lbs) | Estimated Value | Plants Eradicated |
| Monterey | 76,166.35 | $125,674,477 | 122,445 |
| Los Angeles | 16,340.5 | $26,961,825 | 32,411 |
| Kern | 11,123.77 | $18,363,721 | 21,762 |
| Shasta | 10,671 | $17,607,150 | 20,739 |
| Alameda | 10,156.33 | $16,757,944 | 20,288 |
This quarter's enforcement success was the result of a coordinated multiagency effort involving dozens of state, local, and federal partners. In addition to DCC and CDFW, participating state departments included: California State Parks, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the California Department of Justice (CalDOJ), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Their combined expertise and resources were critical in identifying, investigating, and dismantling illegal cannabis operations across the state.
"Illegal cannabis grow operations take—and often contaminate—natural resources that California's fish and wildlife depend on for their survival," said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. "California is fortunate to have so many partners working in coordination to dismantle these unlicensed commercial grow sites statewide and prioritize both our public safety and the health of our environment."
About UCETF
UCETF was established in 2022 by Governor Newsom to enhance collaboration and enforcement coordination between state, local, and federal partners. The taskforce is co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and coordinated by the Homeland Security Division of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). It includes more than two dozen local, state, and federal partners working together to disrupt the illegal cannabis market.
Since its inception in 2022, UCETF partners have seized and destroyed over 325 tons of illicit cannabis products, valued at more than $913 million, through more than 580 search warrant operations across 28 counties. They have also eradicated over 1 million cannabis plants, made 72 arrests, and seized more than $1.3 million in cash and 223 firearms.
To learn more about the legal California cannabis market, state licenses, and laws, visit cannabis.ca.gov.
To learn how to recognize and report illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands in California, see CDFW's fact sheet.
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Unlicensed outdoor cultivations located in Ukiah, Mendocino County, on 09-09-2025.
Economy, Press releases, Public safety, Recent news
https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkur..." rel="nofollow external noopener">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/x?linkurl=https...">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=h...">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/copy_link?linku...">Recent news
Governor Newsom announces tax credit awards for new job-creating films shooting in California and generating $1.4 billion for the state's economy
Oct 21, 2025
News 52 projects including new "Jumanji" film, "Heat 2" will soon set production records in the Golden State What you need to know: Governor Newsom today announced the state has awarded the latest California Film & TV Tax Credit Program awards to major motion and...
Governor Newsom announced as co-chair for the COP30 Local Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro
Oct 21, 2025
News What you need to know: Recognizing California's leadership in the global fight to tackle climate change, Governor Newsom was selected as Co-Chair of the COP30 Local Leaders Forum, which brings together mayors, governors, and subnational leaders from around the...
Trump shutdown could soon halt food support for millions in California; CalFresh cards face possibility of no new funds in November
Oct 20, 2025
News What you need to know: Under the Trump shutdown, millions of Californians and people across the country will likely see an interruption or delay in receiving supplemental food benefits that help ensure families and children get the food they need to survive....
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