“DCC and CDFW, along with their law enforcement partners on the local, state and federal level are working to ensure public and consumer safety, and to protect our natural resources and regulated cannabis operations licensed by the State of California. Often the work investigating illegal cannabis operations, puts these peace officers in harm’s way as they encounter firearms and transnational criminal organizations. We are thankful for their continued work.”
– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SACRAMENTO – On January 16, 2024, the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) announced the results of operations conducted by the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) in 2023, stating that UNCET seized more than $312 million in unlicensed cannabis during its first calendar year of operation.
Among the highlights from the operations in 2023:
- Nearly 190,000 pounds of illegal cannabis seized,
- Nearly 318,000 plants eradicated,
- 119 illegally-possessed firearms seized,
- $223,809 seized.
“California is effectively decreasing the illegal cannabis market by leveraging the strengths and knowledge of over 20 state agencies and departments alongside our local and federal partners. The UCETF’s progress in 2023 reflects California’s ongoing commitment to disrupting and dismantling illegal cannabis activity,” said DCC Director Nicole Elliott.
“Since its inception in late 2022, California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce has hit the ground running with year-round operations that spanned from the Oregon state line all the way down to San Diego,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We’ve sent a strong message that illegal operations that harm our natural resources, threaten the safety of workers, and put consumer health at risk have no place in California. While there is more work to be done, we made progress last year and I look forward to going further alongside our county, state, and federal partners.”
The top five counties for enforcement activity (according to value of cannabis seized) in calendar year 2023:
| County | Value of Cannabis Seized |
| Alameda | $77,828,338.50 |
| Siskiyou | $70,747,875.00 |
| Mendocino | $48,073,113.00 |
| Los Angeles | $28,317,139.69 |
| Kern | $21,578,438.25 |
The taskforce is co-chaired by DCC and CDFW and coordinated by the Homeland Security Division of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The taskforce includes more than two dozen local, state, and federal partners working together to disrupt the illegal cannabis market.
