California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in collaboration with local and federal law enforcement partners, has announced the eradication of 774,829 illegally cultivated cannabis plants and 106,141 pounds of processed cannabis. This operation resulted in 282 arrests across 36 counties in California under the Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) program. The estimated underground market value for these seizures is around $353 million.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address the broader implications of the illegal cannabis market. "California has the largest safe, legal, and regulated cannabis market in the world," he said. However, he noted that "illegal and unlicensed grows continue to proliferate." He acknowledged the environmental damage caused by illicit activities and highlighted concerns about labor exploitation within this underground market.
Jeremy Stinson from California State Parks Law Enforcement expressed concern over illegal cultivation affecting state park lands. "Illegal cannabis cultivation is a serious threat," he stated. He appreciated EPIC's role in addressing these issues.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus commented on ongoing challenges in preventing illicit cannabis from entering the legal market: "Partnerships like EPIC are a major step forward."
Throughout 2024, EPIC teams conducted 665 operations across Northern, Central, and Southern California. They recovered 201 weapons and removed infrastructure such as dams and water lines contaminated with toxic chemicals including carbofuran—a banned insecticide posing significant health risks.
The operations spanned multiple counties with notable plant eradications in Riverside (136,601 plants), Mendocino (133,702 plants), Kern (89,819 plants), among others.
EPIC's mission focuses on investigating civil and criminal cases related to illicit cultivation while addressing environmental harm and labor exploitation concerns. It operates through a multi-agency collaboration led by DOJ alongside partners like U.S. Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; California Department of Fish and Wildlife; DEA; California National Guard; Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program; California State Parks; California Environmental Protection Agency; among other local law enforcement agencies.
This initiative marks an evolution in DOJ's approach to cannabis enforcement reflecting issues arising each summer during operations.
For further information or media inquiries regarding this announcement or access to b-roll footage produced by DOJ from these operations please contact agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov.