Oakland Warehouse Raid Uncovers Massive Illegal Cannabis Operation Worth $20 Million
California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators stumbled upon a massive illegal cannabis cultivation operation in an Oakland warehouse, valued at over $20 million. The discovery was made during a cargo theft investigation, where the CHP was searching for two stolen trailers.
On Tuesday, the investigators arrived at the warehouse on the 1300 block of Fifth Street and found the trailers in the parking lot. As they entered the adjacent building, they discovered a room filled with hundreds of marijuana plants. The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) later confirmed that the warehouse contained 25,276 cannabis plants, valued at $20,852,700.
The DCC also seized two firearms and bags of illegal pesticides from the site. The agency believes that the majority of the plants were small, indicating that the operation was likely a “clone factory” intended to produce large quantities of cannabis for sale to others.
The discovery highlights the significant illegal cannabis market in California, with over $254 million in unlicensed cannabis and products seized in 2024. Alameda County has been a hotspot for illegal cannabis operations, with the DCC expressing concerns about links to organized crime.
The illegal cannabis market not only undermines the legal market but also poses serious health risks to consumers. The DCC emphasized that illegal cannabis products may contain heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides, which can be harmful to consumers.
No arrests have been made in connection with the operation, and the investigation is ongoing. The DCC is working to disrupt the illegal cannabis trade and ensure that consumers have access to safe and regulated products.
