Raids in opposition to unlawful marijuana cultivation within the desert close to Los Angeles have seen “historic” marijuana seizures of greater than $ 1 billion, regardless of the quantity being a fraction of the unlawful cultivation within the space, authorities mentioned on Wednesday with.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva mentioned the proliferation of unlawful marijuana farms in desert areas was harmful as many have been linked to Mexican drug cartels and different organized legal teams. Over the course of 10 days, starting June 8, the Sheriff’s Deputies, Drug Enforcement Administration and different companies seized greater than 33,000 kilos of harvested marijuana vegetation, made 131 arrests and confiscated 65 automobiles in Antelope Valley north of Los Angeles.
As well as, 30 websites have been demolished and 180 animals have been rescued. Armed teams are conducting the unlawful operations in a number of greenhouses and operations have expanded through the coronavirus pandemic, officers mentioned.
EXPLOSION IN LOS ANGELES: 17 INJURED AFTER BOMB TRUCK WITH ILLEGAL FIREWORKS EXPLODES
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger stand in entrance of seized firearms as he factors to an image of some 500 unlawful hashish operations at a information convention in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday . Authorities seized tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} of unlawful marijuana grown within the excessive desert to restrict the black market’s affect on Southern California. (AP Photograph / Damian Dovarganes)
“We need to ship a transparent and loud message to the cartels and everybody who function within the excessive desert: ‘Your days are over and we’re coming to you,'” Villanueva mentioned throughout a press convention.
He mentioned the operations destroyed 205 unlawful acreage, totaling about 40% of the five hundred seen throughout aerial surveillance. Solely 150 unlawful rising areas have been recognized in Antelope Valley final 12 months, he mentioned. Many extra exist in different close by counties.
“This downside plagues Antelope Valley and has the potential to unfold all through Los Angeles County,” mentioned district chairwoman Kathryn Barger.
The unlawful pot farms additionally threaten native residents and farmers, and poisonous chemical compounds like pesticides have additionally threatened water provides amid an ongoing drought, the sheriff mentioned.
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“The quantity of rubbish, particles, pesticides and chemical compounds which can be used goes straight into the surroundings, enters the meals chain, impacts all of our wildlife, our residing beings,” he mentioned. “The rubbish is scattered for miles and the wind carries it by means of the desert and its results can’t be foreseen.”
California largely legalized the sale of leisure marijuana in January 2018. However the black market is flourishing, partially as a result of excessive authorized marijuana taxes drive shoppers to search for higher offers.
Officers tried to differentiate between the Antelope Valley operations and the authorized market.
“This isn’t a struggle on the authorized hashish enterprise in California,” mentioned Consultant Mike Garcia, R-Calif., Who represents the area.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
