When the raids started June 8, Villanueva called them “the largest operation ever to take place in the history” of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and he repeated that assertion Wednesday.
He said the week-long effort resulted in the seizure of more than 16 tons of marijuana and 65 vehicles, including two water trucks. He said $28,000 in U.S. currency was seized, but that amount was solely that day’s payroll for the growers. According to the sheriff, 30 grow locations were flattened and 180 animals were rescued.
“Los Angeles County has seen a significant proliferation of illegal outdoor marijuana grows, especially in the Antelope Valley,” Villanueva said. “Many of these grows have been directly tied to Mexican drug-trafficking organizations and Asian and Armenian organized crime groups.”
He said narcotics detectives last year identified 150 of the illegal outdoor marijuana grows in the Antelope Valley, but there was a significant increase this year. Investigators conducted reconnaissance flights, and found more than 500 grows.
The operations have contributed to an uptick in violence in the area, the sheriff said, saying residents and passersby have been subjected to threats of violence. He also said the illegal grows were siphoning water from residents and farmers by tapping into fire hydrants and digging un-permitted wells.
Villanueva also said the operations endangered the environment and wildlife, with the growers using banned chemicals and pesticides on the crops.
He noted that during all of 2020, the sheriff’s department seized a total of just over 1 ton of marijuana. The June operation alone collected 16.5 tons.
“What we want to do is send a clear and loud message to the cartels and anyone doing an illegal operation in the high desert: Your days are over and we’re coming for you,” Villanueva said.
He also offered thanks to Antelope Valley residents who called in tips to the department.
“We want to thank definitely the courageous people of the Antelope Valley and the community who stepped forward,” Villanueva said. “They provided the tips and trusted our law enforcement efforts.”
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Multi-agency raids target cartel-operated marijuana grows in Antelope Valley area
AnnoyedResident says
This is a joke. All it is is a publicity stunt and photo op. They hit a grow take the plants and leave all of the infrastructure there for them to come back and repair the plastic and start back up. They hit some in my area a few weeks ago and they are already back up and running. The command post that just restarted again is less than a mile from the ones that are growing again. This is complete crap. If they really want to stop them they have to remove the whole operation which includes the structures and equipment. They also need to do something about the aggressive dogs that are being left behind and roaming the desert in packs.
Clara says
When Frank Visco’s boy, Thomas J. Shepos, indicted former LA County leasing agent, was pulled over by the FBI the agents remarked that the smell of marijuana was wafting from Tom’s vehicle. Are Villanueva’s raids for legitimate purposes or to help Frank Visco?
I agree with Tim Scott. Does anyone know about Steve Gorelick and Tom’s storage units? Is that where they are storing the marijuana?
Tom says
They raided for one week, but left the other 499 farms in operation still running strong and stealing water, and tearing up the desert floor. 16 tons could have been 160 tons if they finished the job they said they would.
RayRay says
Raymond is happy. Very, very happy. Smoke out the competition. Heh, heh, heh.