Federal Immigration Operations Target Cannabis Farms in California
On Thursday, federal immigration authorities executed coordinated enforcement actions at two licensed cannabis cultivation sites in Southern California. They discovered ten minors and detained around 200 individuals suspected of being in the country illegally.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that agents from ICE and CBP faced dangerous situations, including “dodging literal bullets from rioters” who appeared to have been tipped off about the operation.
According to the DHS, “Federal law enforcement officers executed criminal warrant operations at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo. During the operation, at least 10 migrant children were rescued from potential exploitation and human trafficking. Approximately 200 illegal aliens were arrested at both sites,” the statement said.
This crackdown led to significant unrest, resulting in a standoff between law enforcement and a large group of protesters at the Ventura County site. Disturbingly, there were reports of a fatal fall involving a farmworker trying to escape during the operation.
Videos shared on social media showed agents using non-lethal munitions to disperse crowds near Glass House Farms, a greenhouse located in Camarillo. In a related operation about 35 miles north in Carpinteria, onlookers and protesters gathered around another Glass House facility.
The United Farm Workers (UFW) union confirmed that the worker at the Camarillo greenhouse, who fell several stories, later succumbed to injuries. UFW representative Elizabeth Strater shared that the individual was taken via ambulance, and the union confirmed his death on Friday morning, although they haven’t released his name yet.
Andrew Dowd, spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, noted that eight individuals were hospitalized following incidents during the operation, while another four received treatment on-site for minor injuries.
“Federal agents are executing a search warrant at this marijuana farm. Agents have already arrested multiple individuals for interfering with this operation,” tweeted U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
The FBI is also looking into a shooting incident that occurred during the enforcement operation in Camarillo. Footage from ABC7 News seemed to show a protester firing at federal agents after smoke canisters were deployed to clear the area.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott shared on social media that ten minors, including eight unaccompanied children, were found during the raid. The facility is now under federal investigation for child labor violations.
“Here’s some breaking news: 10 juveniles were found at this marijuana facility – all illegal aliens, 8 of them unaccompanied. It’s now under investigation for child labor violations,” noted Scott.
Marc Cohodes, an investor in Glass House, expressed outrage over the raid, suggesting it was inappropriate for the government to target a legal company generating significant tax revenue for California.
“The government knows about cartels and illicit crime, but they choose to spend resources going after a legitimate business that pays hundreds of millions of dollars in excise tax,” he stated.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin provided further comments about the operation, emphasizing the rescue of the migrant children and the arrest of nearly 200 individuals. She condemned the violence directed at law enforcement, asserting that they would pursue prosecution against those who assault federal officers.
“ICE and CBP rescued at least 10 migrant children from exploitation and potential human trafficking. Our law enforcement was assaulted, while illegal aliens were apprehended. We will prosecute anyone who assaults or doxes federal law enforcement,” McLaughlin remarked.
