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California tops $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis seizures, up 18x since 2022

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Jan 27, 2026

California tops $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis seizures, up 18x since 2022

What you need to know: Since the launch of the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF) in 2022, California has seized more than $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis.

SACRAMENTO – Underscoring the value of the state's effort to protect public safety and reinforce a regulated cannabis marketplace, today Governor Gavin Newsom announced state officers have seized and destroyed more than $1.2 billion in illicit cannabis products through the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF). The $609 million seized in 2025 represents an 18 fold increase since 2022.

Through UCETF, which Governor Newsom established in 2022 to coordinate whole-of-government efforts to take down illicit cannabis operations, California has seized and destroyed over 757,000 pounds of illicit cannabis, conducted more than 670 search warrant operations across 36 counties, eradicated over 1 million cannabis plants, made 75 arrests and seized more than $2.5 million in cash and 230 firearms.

California is making historic strides in dismantling the illicit cannabis market. This success is a testament to strong partnerships and our commitment to protect our environment, ensure public safety, and safeguard the legal cannabis industry from those who think the law doesn't apply to them.

Governor Gavin Newsom

Co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), UCETF enhances collaboration and enforcement coordination among state, local, and federal agencies.

2025 enforcement highlights

In 2025, law enforcement officials conducted 48 operations across 23 counties, executing more than 250 search warrants with more than 60 partner agencies. These efforts led to the seizure and destruction of 188 tons of illicit cannabis worth over $600 million.

Top five counties by seizure amount in 2025
CountyCannabis destroyedEstimated value
Los Angeles88,141 pounds$132 million
Alameda81,377 pounds$134 million
Monterey77,881 pounds$128.5 million
Kern52,151 pounds$86 million
Tulare32,218 pounds$53 million

Taking down illicit cannabis activities and associated crimes

In 2025, UCETF operations addressed a range of illicit cannabis activities, including those associated with outdoor and indoor cultivation, manufacturing facilities, retail storefronts, and unlicensed delivery services. During these operations, investigators frequently identified additional criminal and civil violations beyond illegal cannabis cultivation, such as the use of banned and hazardous pesticides, labor trafficking, wage theft, Fish and Game Code violations, water-related violations, and other regulatory infractions. These illicit activities undermine California's regulated cannabis market and pose serious risks to public health and the environment.

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Two of the largest and most impactful enforcement efforts in 2025 took place in May and July. In May, officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) coordinated and led a comprehensive UCETF operation spanning Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties. The operation involved over 200 sworn officers and staff from 15 different agencies and resulted in the seizure and destruction of 105,700 illicit cannabis plants and more than 22,000 pounds of processed cannabis, with an estimated value of more than $123 million.

In July, UCETF, in partnership with San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, dismantled a major cultivation operation suspected of using dangerous pesticides in Monterey County. In the weeks following the operation, DCC with the help of local partners, destroyed 38 tons of illicit cannabis worth more than $125 million, marking one of California's largest and most impactful enforcement efforts.

In August, detectives with DCC led a multiagency UCETF operation targeting unlicensed distribution and retail locations in Los Angeles County. Approximately 18,117 pounds of cannabis products were seized and destroyed, with an estimated retail value of $27 million. Additionally, 16 1-ounce gold bars, one 100-gram gold bar, and $1,170,299 in cash were confiscated from these locations.

"Tackling the illicit cannabis market in a state the size of California requires long-term coordination and commitment from many dedicated partners," said CDFW interim Director Valerie Termini. "But it's gratifying to see that in 2025 alone, UCETF operations prevented such a large amount of illicit cannabis — products grown and sold without regard for the environment or public health and safety — from entering the supply chain."

Whole-of-government enforcement approach

UCETF's success in 2025 was driven by its integrated enforcement model, involving over five dozen state, local and federal partners. In addition to DCC and CDFW, participating state departments included California State Parks, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, the California Department of Justice, the California Employment Development Department, the California National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Department of Industrial Relations and the State Water Resources Control Board. Their combined expertise and resources were critical in identifying, investigating, and dismantling illicit cannabis operations across the state.

"UCETF demonstrates what we can accomplish when state, local, and federal partners work in lockstep," said DCC Director Clint Kellum. "This year's operations not only removed hundreds of thousands of pounds of illicit cannabis, but also held illicit operators accountable for labor, tax, and environmental violations, reinforcing our commitment to supporting California's regulated market and protecting public safety."

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For information on California's legal cannabis market, state licenses and laws, visit cannabis.ca.gov. To learn how to recognize and report illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands in California, see CDFW's fact sheet.

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