California wildlife officers raided two illegal cannabis grow sites in the Bay Area this summer as part of a wider crackdown on environmentally destructive operations tied to criminal organizations, state officials said.
In a statement Tuesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said its Marijuana Enforcement Team dismantled grows in San Mateo County and supported another raid in Santa Cruz County. Operatives reportedly eradicated thousands of cannabis plants hidden in watersheds and sensitive habitats, part of six operations spanning five counties.
Statewide, the raids in July and August uncovered 21,000 plants that would have consumed nearly 9.5 million gallons of water during their growing cycles, the CDFW said. Teams also seized two firearms, destroyed more than 150 pounds of processed cannabis, and removed highly toxic pesticides banned in the U.S.
Eight suspects were reportedly arrested in connection with the operations, which also included sites in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Tehama counties. Felonies reportedly ranged from polluting state waters to resisting arrest. At one site, an armed suspect attempted to flee but was caught by a police K-9.
“Nearby communities and fish and wildlife depend on clean water from these watersheds,” CDFW Director Charlton Bonham said. “When criminals steal or destroy the natural resources that support California’s extraordinary biodiversity, we are committed to stopping them–and we have the teams in place to do that, no matter how far into the wilderness they try to hide their operations.”
State officials said some of the sites were discovered thanks to citizen tips, including one from a hunter scouting for deer.
Reports of illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands can be made to CalTIP at (888) 334-2258.
That pic doesn’t do our weed justice. #bammer
Let’s protest! They are snatching people off the streets who are working hard and it’s unfairly impacting venerable communities. Are these California Wildlife Officers wearing masks during these arrests? Oh shame! LOL
They should arrest those guys growing that Bam-Bam and passing that off to a consumer. That is the real crime. LOL
Damn, I’d better lock my door.
California Proposition 64,
Marijuana Legalization (2016)
.
Pro Pot people,
“The proposition would generate tax revenue and decrease law enforcement costs…” ❌
.
“The proposition would decrease black market and drug cartel activity.” ❌
.
The pro Prop 64 side spent $32,374,711.64 conning voters into passing.
https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_64,_Marijuana_Legalization_(2016)
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Supporter’ business folk and democrat politicians saw huge dollar signs and illegal
pot was supposed to go away . . . . . .
.
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor newsom has signed bill suspending pot tax increase
until 2028.
.
Law enforcement costs did NOT go down. Record illegal grow busts are up, since
democrats thru fees and taxation made illegal weed cheaper than legal. Human nature
picks lower prices, concept democrat politicians possibly ignored thinking of large legal
grower campaign contributions.
.
A few Illegal pot grows Prop 64 incentivized,
https://tinyurl.com/2r62kjd7
https://tinyurl.com/3yvyf33t
https://tinyurl.com/4he4rc8v
https://tinyurl.com/74edse8p
.
Truly a blessing democrat controlled state legislature doesn’t have to
find their way out of a Wet Paper Bag.
Weed infused with highly toxic pesticides banned in the US, and they want us to
believe marijuana is harmless.