In a substantial crackdown on illegal cannabis operations, California's Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) confiscated over $19 million worth of unlicensed cannabis and products in the Bay Area. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the seizures occurred during coordinated operations in Oakland and Hayward.
"I'm proud of the recent work by our cannabis task force, seizing a staggering $19.2 million in illicit cannabis from across the Bay Area," Governor Gavin Newsom was quoted, as per the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. These efforts, he stated, are crucial for supporting California's legal cannabis market and guarding consumers against unregulated and potentially dangerous products. During the Oakland bust, officials reported confiscating over 7,000 illegal cannabis plants, processed cannabis flowers, concentrated cannabis, and numerous vape cartridges.
An illegal cannabis operation featuring a CO2 and Butane Honey Oil (BHO) laboratory was uncovered during the raid in Oakland. These types of laboratories pose public safety risks due to the highly flammable and explosive nature of concentrated cannabis. Specialized teams from Oakland HAZMAT and DTSC safely neutralized the hazard. Nathaniel Arnold, Chief of Law Enforcement at CDFW, told reporters that these unlicensed operations violate state laws and threaten local wildlife and communities.
