$1.19 billion worth of marijuana seized in California

[corbe]

$1.19 billion worth of marijuana seized in California

Tori B. Powell  2 hrs ago

Authorities in Southern California have seized more than 16 tons of marijuana worth an estimated $1.19 billion, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said Wednesday. The 10-day sting is the largest eradication of illegal marijuana cultivations in the history of the department.


a car parked in a parking lot: lasheriffsdept.jpg© Credit: CBSNews

The operation, which began on June 8, resulted in 22 felony arrests, 109 misdemeanor arrests, and 19 arrests from water theft enforcement teams, officials said. More than 200 locations were served with search warrants. Nearly 375,000 marijuana plants and 33,480 pounds of harvested marijuana were seized, along with 65 vehicles, 180 animals and $28,000.


Officials say they believe international cartels are behind the illegal large-scale marijuana farms.

"We're talking about the cartels," Lancaster, California, Mayor Rex Parris said at a Wednesday press conference. "We are not talking about mom and pop people selling marijuana that they grew in their backyard. This is the cartels. We are very very close to driving down the freeway and seeing bodies hanging from the overpasses. That is what's coming."

While California legalized the recreational use of marijuana in 2018, illegal grows of the crop have been on the rise in the state. Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Narcotic Bureau identified over 500 illegal marijuana cultivations in 2021, increasing from the 150 identified in 2020, according to a June statement. Detectives found that the average size per cultivation at farms increased to 15 greenhouses, up from eight per farm in the year prior.

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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/1-19-billion-worth-of-marijuana-seized-in-california/ar-AALTHdy?ocid=msedgntp

[catfish1957]

Sargent Stadanko reporting for disposal duty.....

[Idiot]

I thought it was legal there.   

[DefiantMassRINO]

Was this operation undertaken:

1.) To protect the youths from refer madness.
2.) To punish tax evaders.
3.) To persecute illegal water consumption.
4.) Because they lack sufficient carbon-offset credits.

[corbe]

  Legal only for certain people, apparently.  The State Government hates competition.

[dfwgator]

"We just smiled and waved,   sittin' on that sack of seeds."

[Wingnut]

They must not have learned a thing or two from ol' Charlie, don't you know

[andy58-in-nh]

They must not have learned a thing or two from ol' Charlie, don't you know

That's only because they didn't live on
Copperhead Road. Or because they didn't bribe the right people.

[GtHawk]

Was this operation undertaken:

1.) To protect the youths from refer madness.
2.) To punish tax evaders.
3.) To persecute illegal water consumption.
4.) Because they lack sufficient carbon-offset credits.

Because it evaded state taxation

[GtHawk]

Maybe I just didn't pay attention but wasn't one of the big arguments for legalizing weed that it would eliminate the illegal growers of marijuana and make it safe for 'consumers' because of state regulated dispensaries? Not surprising that argument being full of Bandini, we all knew the only greater good most governments care about is the greater good of increased taxes.

[libertybele]

Sargent Stadanko reporting for disposal duty.....