California Seizes $123.5M in Illegal Cannabis in Largest-Ever Enforcement Operation

cannabis inside a plastic bag with marijuana symbol on it.
Photo by GRAS GRÜN on Unsplash.
Published: 20 May, 2025
Updated: 18 Jun, 2025
2 min read

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.In its largest coordinated crackdown to date, California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force seized more than $123 million worth of illegal cannabis during a sweeping, multi-agency operation across the Central Valley.

The actions announced Tuesday are expected to significantly disrupt the illicit cannabis market.

The week-long effort, conducted in early May 2025, involved more than 200 officers and personnel from 15 local, state, and federal agencies. Teams executed 71 search warrants across Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties, covering roughly 4,600 square miles.

In total, law enforcement confiscated 105,700 illicit cannabis plants and 22,057 pounds of processed cannabis, alongside nine firearms. Several individuals were detained or arrested, with prosecutions pending in coordination with local district attorneys.

In 2024, $534 million in illegal cannabis was seized or destroyed by the task force from nefarious operators.  Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to continue to “target illegal cannabis operations and cut off the illicit revenue streams of transnational criminal organizations who prey on workers, our environment, and kids.”

Newsom praised today’s enforcement action, stating:

“Let this be a reminder to all who grow cannabis illegally: we won’t tolerate the undermining of our legal industry and impacts to our environment. I appreciate the multi-agency, cross-county efforts to take on the illicit market.”

“This operation sends a clear message: California will not tolerate illicit cannabis activity that threatens public safety, the environment, and the integrity of the legal market,” said Nicole Elliott, Director of the Department of Cannabis Control.

The Task Force also uncovered the use of banned or highly restricted pesticides at eight locations. These chemicals pose risks not only to California’s native wildlife and ecosystems but also to consumers who unknowingly ingest contaminated cannabis products.

IVP Donate

Established in 2022, the Task Force was formed to coordinate enforcement efforts across agencies and protect the legal cannabis market. Since its creation, the Task Force has served over 500 warrants, seized more than $650 million in unlicensed cannabis, and eradicated over 800,000 plants and 220 tons of processed cannabis.

Authorities have also confiscated 190 firearms, made more than 50 arrests, and recovered over $1 million in cash from illegal operations.

The Task Force 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 Cal OES. This latest sweep also involved the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California National Guard, State Parks, Department of Tax and Fee Administration, DEA, and multiple county sheriff’s offices and code enforcement teams across five counties.

“This operation represents the power of collaboration across agencies with a shared commitment to protecting our natural resources and preserving the integrity of California’s legal cannabis market,” said Charlton H. Bonham, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

California’s regulated cannabis market is the largest in the world. The legal market fosters fair labor practices and economic growth while funding vital education, public health, and environmental protection programs.

Officials say these enforcement efforts are essential to curbing the illicit market that undercuts legal operators and threatens public health.

Related articles

Voter ID for Democrat and Republic Party Control
Democrats Might Embrace Voter ID, To Kill the Nonpartisan Primary
California’s nonpartisan top-two primary and independent redistricting commission are widely viewed ...
25 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read
California Capitol Building and Flag with Two Lawmakers Shaking Hands & Passports in Front of It
California Is Doing What Congress Can't on Immigration
SACRAMENTO, CA — In an era when immigration remains one of the most divisive issues in American poli...
24 Jul, 2025
-
5 min read
Trump and Newsom playing tug of war over maps of Texas and California.
Trump and Newsom Engage in War to See Who Can Offend Voters the Most
President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom are escalating a partisan tug-of-war match — each threatening to manipulate electoral maps for short-term advantage. However, their proposals are receiving significant pushback from voters, election reform advocates, even members of their own parties....
17 Jul, 2025
-
4 min read

Latest articles

Gas station weed signs next to Texas flag
Texas Senate Votes to Ban Gas Station Weed Again -- Will Abbott Go Along This Time?
AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Senate on August 1 passed a bill that would ban all intoxicating hemp-derived...
01 Aug, 2025
-
2 min read
House of Cards logo in front of Texas Capitol
Texas Redistricting Drama Turns into 'House of Cards' Episode
As Texas Republicans push forward with a controversial plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts, Democrats are weighing whether to deploy one of their most extreme forms of resistance: a quorum break....
31 Jul, 2025
-
4 min read
US Capitol Building with American Flags in front.
Five Seats, One Revolution: Independents Launch Political Disruptor
One week after hosting its inaugural event in DC, the founders of The Independent Center announced the formation of the Independent PAC, a hybrid political action committee designed to do one thing: deny the two major parties a majority in Congress....
31 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read