Antelope Valley Pot Raids Seized $1.19B in MarijuanaPosted by On


LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A massive law-enforcement crackdown on illegal marijuana-grow operations in the Antelope Valley last month resulted in more than 130 arrests and the seizure of marijuana with a street value of more than $1.19 billion, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said July 7.

When the raids started June 8, Villanueva called them “the largest operation ever to take place in the history” of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and he repeated that assertion July 7.

He said the week-long effort resulted in the seizure of more than 16 tons of marijuana and 65 vehicles, including two water trucks. He said $28,000 in U.S. currency was seized, but that amount was solely that day’s payroll for the growers. According to the sheriff, 30 grow locations were flattened and 180 animals were rescued.

“Los Angeles County has seen a significant proliferation of illegal outdoor marijuana grows, especially in the Antelope Valley,” Villanueva said.

“Many of these grows have been directly tied to Mexican drug-trafficking organizations and Asian and Armenian organized crime groups.”

He said narcotics detectives last year identified 150 of the illegal outdoor marijuana grows in the Antelope Valley, but there was a significant increase this year. Investigators conducted reconnaissance flights, and found more than 500 grows.

The operations have contributed to an uptick in violence in the area, the sheriff said, saying residents and passersby have been subjected to…

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LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A massive law-enforcement crackdown on illegal marijuana-grow operations in the Antelope Valley last month resulted in more than 130 arrests and the seizure of marijuana with a street value of more than $1.19 billion, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said July 7.

When the raids started June 8, Villanueva called them “the largest operation ever to take place in the history” of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and he repeated that assertion July 7.

He said the week-long effort resulted in the seizure of more than 16 tons of marijuana and 65 vehicles, including two water trucks. He said $28,000 in U.S. currency was seized, but that amount was solely that day’s payroll for the growers. According to the sheriff, 30 grow locations were flattened and 180 animals were rescued.

“Los Angeles County has seen a significant proliferation of illegal outdoor marijuana grows, especially in the Antelope Valley,” Villanueva said.

“Many of these grows have been directly tied to Mexican drug-trafficking organizations and Asian and Armenian organized crime groups.”

He said narcotics detectives last year identified 150 of the illegal outdoor marijuana grows in the Antelope Valley, but there was a significant increase this year. Investigators conducted reconnaissance flights, and found more than 500 grows.

The operations have contributed to an uptick in violence in the area, the sheriff said, saying residents and passersby have been subjected to…



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