Governor Newsom’s Cannabis Enforcement Task Force has busted more than $15 million worth of illegal cannabis
The newly formed task force eradicated 11,260 illegal cannabis plants and destroyed 5,237 pounds. illegally processed cannabis flower with an estimated retail value of more than $15 million
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom’s newly formed Unified Enforcement Task Force (UCETF) is taking aggressive steps to crack down on illegal cannabis operations – protecting communities and consumers across California and the United States from unregulated and potentially harmful cannabis products. Led by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) Division of Criminal Enforcement and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the task force conducted an operation on Oct. 4 in a rural area of Jupiter in Tuolumne County targeting unlicensed outdoor grow operations. Nine search warrants were served in the multi-agency operation. Officers uprooted 11,260 illegal cannabis plants and destroyed 5,237 pounds. illegally processed cannabis flower with an estimated retail value of more than $15 million, according to the DCC.
“California is taking immediate and aggressive action to stop illegal cannabis and strengthen the thriving legal market across the state,” Governor Newsom said. “By shutting down illegal grows and imposing serious consequences on violators, we are working to crack down on the criminal organizations that undercut California’s regulated cannabis market.”
In June, Governor Gavin Newsom directed the creation of a new multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force to better coordinate agencies, using a wide range of legal authorities as they work together to strategically address illegal cannabis operations, including transnational criminal organizations.
“These operations, and the resulting criminal and financial penalties, reflect the importance and strength of a whole-of-government approach to combating organized crime, unfair competition, and consumer and environmental threats,” said DCC Director Nicole Elliott.
“These illegal crops can be harmful to our state’s fish and wildlife and their habitats,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Numerous environmental violations have been documented in connection with this operation, including sediment that will affect Eagle Creek during the next rain event and hazardous materials that could be lethal to local wildlife. This newly created task force is poised to take a coordinated approach to address these harmful growths as they violate many aspects of our state laws.”
In addition to the task force’s actions, Governor Newsom has introduced policies and funding to support legal, regulated cannabis throughout the state. Last month, Governor Newsom signed several pieces of legislation that expunged previous cannabis convictions, combated discrimination against off-the-job cannabis use, provided statewide access to medical cannabis, and paved the way for California to join other states in in order to establish a legal interstate relationship. a cannabis market that works for everyone. Earlier this year, the administration passed a budget that provided historic tax relief to legal cannabis operators — especially capital market operators — while protecting other vital public investments that legalization of cannabis has made possible for us.
Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, Tuolumne County Probation, Tuolumne County Law Enforcement, Tuolumne County Animal Control, Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office, Tri County Narcotics Task Force, West El Dorado County Drug Enforcement, US Forestry assisted this operation . Service, California Department of Taxation and Fee Administration, California State Water Management Board, California Department of Industrial Relations, CALFIRE, US Forest Service, and the California National Guard.
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