Massive Illegal Cannabis Operation Discovered in Oakland Warehouse
California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators stumbled upon a massive illegal cannabis operation in an Oakland warehouse while searching for stolen trailers. The discovery was made last Tuesday, and authorities found over 25,000 cannabis plants valued at $20.9 million, as well as two firearms and illegal pesticides.
The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) confirmed that the majority of the plants were small, suggesting it was a clone factory intended to produce large quantities of cannabis for sale to others. The DCC also seized two firearms and bags of illegal pesticides, which are not labeled in English and may contain unknown chemicals.
This illegal operation is just one example of the large-scale illegal cannabis market in California. In 2024, the state’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF) seized over $254 million in unlicensed cannabis and products, with Alameda County being one of the most active sites for illegal cannabis busts.
The DCC is concerned about the links between illegal cannabis operations and organized crime, stating that purchasing illegal cannabis funds criminal organizations. No arrests have been made in this case, and the investigation is ongoing.
The discovery highlights the importance of a legal cannabis market, which provides safe and tested products. The illegal market, on the other hand, poses risks to consumers due to the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides. The DCC is working to disrupt the illegal cannabis trade and promote a safe and regulated cannabis industry in California.
