MJP –
The value of illicit cannabis goods confiscated by the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF) of California since January 2024 exceeds $120 million.
Eleven counties, including Mendocino, Humboldt, and Los Angeles, have seen the task force’s heightened activities since its inception in 2022, when Governor Gavin Newsom established it.
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Following Governor Newsom’s order to crack down on the black market for cannabis, the Unlawful Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCTEF) eradicated over 123,000 plants and confiscated 37 tons of illegal cannabis—equivalent to the weight of twenty vehicles.
And 22 weapons associated with these illicit endeavors have been apprehended by the task force.
Criminal narcotics found in Mendocino County were confiscated. California graciously provides this.
“The legal cannabis market brings billions of dollars to our state’s economy, helping to sustain California’s position as the fifth largest economy in the world,” Newsom said.
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Toxic illegal enterprises endangering Californians’ health and the state’s economy will not be tolerated.
While the UCETF does its best to seize cannabis, it also works to protect the people and the environment in California.
In response to serious concerns raised by the widespread use of pesticides and other dangerous agricultural practices at unlicensed grow sites, the state has taken strong measures. Furthermore, these illicit enterprises frequently take advantage of weaker workers, subjecting them to exploitation such as human trafficking and labor breaches.
“UCETF’s efforts are continuing to break new ground in unlicensed cannabis enforcement by leveraging the expertise and knowledge of its diverse group of partners to disrupt the unlicensed market,” noted Bill Jones, chief of the Law Enforcement Division with the Department of Cannabis Control of the United States.
Over four hundred fifty million dollars worth of illicit cannabis and approximately half a million plants have been eradicated thanks to the tremendous efforts of UCETF since its establishment. Along with the 309 search warrants served, the task force has arrested 38 people for their roles in the illicit cannabis trade.
An important factor in the effectiveness of the task force, according to Nathaniel Arnold, chief of the Law Enforcement Division with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and co-lead of UCETF, has been the continuous cooperation among federal, state, and local administrations.
The cooperation among the participating agencies is the reason for UCETF’s ongoing success. The rapid response from all the relevant agencies allows us to take speedy action against individuals who persist in cultivating cannabis illegally.
