Gang Members Suspected in 7 Killings at Illegal Marijuana Farm in California
A gruesome crime that occurred over four years ago has taken a new turn, with authorities now believing that gang members were involved in the shooting deaths of seven Laotian workers at an illegal marijuana farm in Southern California. The farm, located in the remote community of Aguanga, was raided in 2020, leaving six people dead on the property and one woman dying later at a hospital.
According to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the suspects are believed to be gang members of Laotian descent from the San Diego area. However, the investigation has been hindered by the fact that at least some of the witnesses and victims entered the country illegally and may have been victims of human trafficking. This has led to a “major obstacle” in obtaining information, as many of the migrants may fear retribution and distrust law enforcement.
The sheriff emphasized that the victims’ fear of law enforcement makes them easy targets for crime, as the suspects know that the victims will be reluctant to cooperate with the investigation or report the crime. Bianco appealed to the public to come forward with any information they may have about the murders and the identity of the suspects.
The investigation has revealed that the killings were part of a “home-invasion type robbery” carried out to obtain money, with a significant amount of cannabis left behind. The farm, which had makeshift dwellings and a nursery, was found to have over 1,000 marijuana plants and several hundred pounds of processed marijuana.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of illegal marijuana cultivation and trafficking in California, despite the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana sales in 2018. The illicit market continues to thrive, partly due to high taxes on legal marijuana, which drives consumers to seek out cheaper, illegal options.
