Crime & Safety
Authorities Bust Dozens Of Illegal Cannabis Grows, Uncover Forced Labor Operations
Law enforcement eradicated approximately 173,244 marijuana plants and seized 10,369 pounds of processed marijuana intended for sales.
MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA — Authorities in Mendocino County busted several illegal cannabis grows this month and found evidence of forced labor abuses, the Sheriff's Office said Saturday.
Between July 1 and Friday, deputies with the Lake and Mendocino county sheriff's offices served multiple search warrants at unlicensed cannabis cultivation sites in the Covelo, Laytonville, Potter Valley and Redwood Valley areas. The operation hit over 30 sites, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Investigators located and documented numerous water diversions and extremely dangerous pesticides in proximity to local waterways and sensitive habitat areas, the Sheriff's Office said. Law enforcement officials also found evidence of pesticides being used that are banned in the U.S., specifically foreign-language labeled containers which are prohibited; these pesticides created serious concerns for residents, wildlife, and downstream natural resources.
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Authorities also made contact with people they suspected were victims of forced labor trafficking after finding poor, overcrowded conditions; limited freedom of movement, deceptive recruitment, lack of identifying documents, little to no meaningful pay, and exposure to hazardous chemicals and unsafe working conditions.
"These conditions are consistent with publicly documented patterns of labor exploitation associated with illegal marijuana grows, particularly in remote locations where vulnerable workers may be isolated, controlled, or threatened," the Sheriff's Office said.
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Law enforcement eradicated approximately 173,244 marijuana plants, seized 10,369 pounds of processed marijuana intended for sales, made numerous arrests, located and seized 626 ounces of illegal pesticides and seized 26 firearms, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Cases against suspected illegal operators are being forwarded to the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office.
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