California’s cannabis task force seizes over $19 million in illegal cannabis and products in recent operations
The Californer/10299538

Trending...
News

Dec 10, 2024

California's cannabis task force seizes over $19 million in illegal cannabis and products in recent operations

What you need to know: Recent operations by California's Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce led to nearly $20 million seized in illicit cannabis products in the East Bay.

SACRAMENTO – Continuing the state's efforts to address the illegal cannabis market, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced California's Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) recently seized a combined total of more than $19 million of illegally grown cannabis and illegally manufactured cannabis products during concurrent operations in Oakland and Hayward.

"I'm proud of the recent work by our cannabis task force, seizing a staggering $19.2 million in illicit cannabis from across the Bay Area. These operations are imperative in both bolstering California's legal cannabis market and protecting consumers from unregulated and dangerous products."

Governor Gavin Newsom

Illegal products seized in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)-led operation in Oakland included:
  • Over 7,000 illegal cannabis plants worth $6.1 million
  • Over 1,200 pounds of processed cannabis flower worth $2 million
  • 581 pounds of concentrated cannabis worth $4.4 million
  • 6,250 disposable vape cartridges worth over $41,000

CDFW led an enforcement action in East Oakland along with California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Alameda County District Attorney's Office, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and Oakland Hazardous Materials Management (HAZMAT) that resulted in more than $12.6 million in illegal cannabis being seized.

During this operation, CDFW discovered an illegal cannabis operation containing a functioning carbon dioxide (C02) and a Butane Honey Oil (BHO) laboratory. These operations can pose a significant risk to public safety, as butane honey oil is a concentrated form of cannabis that is highly flammable and explosive. This hazardous laboratory was safely disposed of by Oakland HAZMAT and DTSC teams.

"This successful operation, led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, underscores the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce's dedication to safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, and preserving the integrity of California's regulated cannabis market," said Nathaniel Arnold, Chief of Law Enforcement at CDFW. "Unlicensed operations like this not only undermine state law, but also endanger our fish and wildlife species, habitats, and communities."

More on The Californer
Around the same time in Hayward, an enforcement operation led by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) with support from CDFW, CDTFA, Alameda County District Attorney's Office, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) resulted in the seizure of 4,018 pounds of illegal cannabis plants and processed flower worth $6.6 million. For community safety, local code enforcement red-tagged the location and disconnected the electricity.

"UCETF continues to leverage the knowledge and experience of its partners to deliberately, and effectively, reduce the size of the unlicensed cannabis market," said Bill Jones, Chief of Law Enforcement at DCC. "Being able to coordinate, and execute, operations of this size simultaneously is a significant advantage when targeting the illegal market."

How we got here

In 2022, Governor Newsom created the UCETF to further align state efforts and increase cannabis enforcement coordination between state, local, and federal partners.  The enforcement actions protect consumer and public safety, safeguard the environment, and deprive illegal cannabis operators and transnational criminal organizations of illicit revenue that harms consumers and undercuts the regulated cannabis market in California.

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

More on The Californer
California secures federal assistance to support response to Franklin Fire in Malibu

Dec 10, 2024

News SACRAMENTO – Moving swiftly to support the state's response to the Franklin Fire, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the...

California invests over $100 million to build safe walking and biking routes in disadvantaged communities

Dec 9, 2024

News What you need to know: More than $100 million was approved for 13 projects across the state that are building safer walking and biking routes. It's yet another example of infrastructure projects building California's future. SACRAMENTO – More walking and biking...

Governor Newsom appoints Adam Schiff to the U.S. Senate to complete remaining term ahead of full elected service

Dec 8, 2024

News SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the appointment of Senator-elect Adam Schiff to complete the remaining U.S. Senate term of Senator Laphonza Butler following her resignation. Senator Butler announced her resignation effective December 8, 2024,...

Filed Under: Government, State
Show All News | Report Violation

0 Comments

Latest on The Californer