Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a significant operation by California's Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF), which seized nearly $23 million in illegal cannabis in East Oakland. This move is part of the state's ongoing efforts to support consumer safety and its legal cannabis market.

In the operation, over 21,000 illegal cannabis plants valued at $17.8 million were confiscated. Additionally, more than $10,000 in cash and over 3,000 pounds of illicit cannabis flower worth over $5 million were seized.

Governor Newsom stated, "The recent operations in East Oakland are a further proof point of California’s dedication to protect consumers and legal cannabis growers while holding those who attempt to undermine the state’s cannabis market accountable."

The enforcement was led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) with assistance from the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), and the Oakland Police Department. Nathaniel Arnold, Chief of Law Enforcement at CDFW, emphasized the importance of such operations for public health and environmental protection: “This successful operation...is one of several recent efforts by the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and preserve the integrity of California’s regulated cannabis market.”

Last month saw similar actions with concurrent search warrants executed in East Oakland and Hayward that removed nearly $20 million in illegal products from circulation.

UCETF was established by Governor Newsom in 2022 to enhance coordination between state, local, and federal partners for better enforcement against illegal cannabis activities. Since its inception, UCETF has conducted over 350 operations resulting in the seizure of over 162 tons of illegal cannabis valued at approximately $536 million. The taskforce has also eradicated more than half a million plants, seized numerous firearms, and made multiple arrests.