2024 first quarter report
“Law enforcement officers from Bargaining Unit 7 (CSLEA) make up a large part of the effort to eradicate illegal cannabis in California. This is an important effort to protect public safety, our environment and licensed cannabis growers and operations. The work to combat illegal cannabis operations in California is not without danger and we thank our law enforcement officers for taking on the challenges of serving search warrants, seizing and eradicating illegal items and arresting those committing these offenses.”
– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SACRAMENTO- In the first quarter of 2024, California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) seized more than $53,620,600 million in illegal cannabis. The taskforce seized:
- 31,866 pounds of unlicensed cannabis
- $34,858 in cash
- And 11 firearms
In addition, the taskforce arrested four individuals and eradicated 54,137 unlicensed cannabis plants.
“California is home to the largest legal cannabis market in the world,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “As we continue to cultivate a legal marketplace, we’re taking aggressive action to crack down on those still operating in the shadows — shutting down illegal operations linked to organized crime, human trafficking, and the proliferation of illegal products that harm the environment and public health.”
“A key to UCETF’s success is a collaborative approach relying on intelligence gathering, targeted investigations and leveraging the expertise of our members,” said Bill Jones, Chief of the Law Enforcement Division for DCC. “The Taskforce continues to play a crucial role in protecting the legal cannabis market while eliminating the often-dangerous activities associated with unlicensed cannabis operations.”
The following state agencies and departments participated in UCETF operations during Q1 2024:
- Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control,
- Department of Cannabis Control,
- Employment Development Department,
- Department of Fish and Wildlife,
- California National Guard Counter Drug Task Force,
- California Division of Occupational Safety and Health,
- California State Parks,
- and the Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
In addition, multiple federal and local partners assisted with enforcement operations during the first quarter of 2024.
Since inception, UCETF has seized $371,199,431 in unlicensed cannabis through 236 search warrants. The taskforce has also eradicated 401,458 plants and seized 139 firearms.
