Federal Agents and Soldiers Conduct Massive Raid on Marijuana Farms in Southern California
In a coordinated effort, 500 federal agents and soldiers from various agencies descended upon multiple marijuana grow operations in Thermal, a rural city in Riverside County, near Coachella, California. The operation, authorized by federal search warrants, aimed to dismantle illegal marijuana farms spanning approximately 787 acres in the Coachella Valley town.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led the task force, which included the National Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The agencies worked together to execute the operation, which required the assistance of the Army due to the “magnitude and topography of this operation.”
During the raid, federal agents arrested between 70 and 75 undocumented immigrants and one U.S. citizen for impeding law enforcement. Multiple individuals are currently being questioned regarding their possible involvement in the marijuana grow operation.
The DEA emphasized that the operation was a result of a federal magistrate judge’s authorization, and the agency’s social media post highlighted the significance of the operation. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat illegal drug activities in the region.
