In a large-scale operation, 500 federal agents and National Guard personnel conducted raids on several illegal cannabis farms in Thermal, California. This rural community in Riverside County, located near Coachella, was the focus of a coordinated effort involving the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and multiple federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the FBI.
The operation was authorized by federal search warrants issued by a magistrate judge. During the raids, authorities arrested approximately 70 to 75 undocumented immigrants along with one U.S. citizen accused of obstructing law enforcement efforts. Additionally, several individuals are under investigation for their involvement in the illegal cannabis cultivation operations.
The DEA stated that this crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to address the growing concern over unregulated cannabis farms, which have been linked to various illegal activities, including drug trafficking and human smuggling. The significant number of personnel involved highlights the federal government’s commitment to enforcing cannabis laws and combating illegal operations in states where cannabis is legally regulated.
As California continues to navigate the complexities of its cannabis market, these raids serve as a reminder of the challenges posed by illegal cultivation and the importance of compliance with state and federal regulations. The operation in Thermal marks one of the largest enforcement actions in recent times, indicating a heightened focus on illegal grow operations that threaten the integrity of the legal cannabis industry.
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