Sheriff discovers $100 million worth of illegal marijuana in California building

In a significant law enforcement operation in Southern California, the San Bernardino County sheriff's department discovered over 90,000 pounds of processed illegal marijuana. The raid was executed at a property on the 5000 block of Honeyhill Road in Oak Hills, prompted by information regarding illegal marijuana cultivation. The property, which spans five acres, housed a newly constructed metal building measuring 120 by 40 feet. Upon investigation, the sheriff's marijuana enforcement team discovered that the marijuana, stored in trash bags weighing between 30 to 50 pounds each, was valued at approximately $100 million. Following up on the operation, it took authorities two days to process the scene and remove all the seized marijuana, which required 51 truckloads for transportation. The investigation remains ongoing, with no arrests made thus far. San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus indicated that criminal organizations, rather than small local operations, are responsible for these large-scale illicit marijuana cultivations. The sheriff emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the connection between such illegal activities and violence in the region. In January, six individuals were found murdered in the high desert area, an incident linked to an illegal marijuana deal, illustrating the dangers associated with the black market for cannabis. With this latest seizure, California Governor Gavin Newsom commented on the importance of removing illicit cannabis from the market, stating that 42,000 pounds have already been confiscated since the start of the year. The governor's administration has directed state agencies to specifically target organized criminal enterprises involved in the illegal marijuana trade, stressing the impact these schemes have on both the legal cannabis sector and the environment. The use of unregulated practices, including illegal pesticides, poses a significant risk to the state's ecosystem and water quality, which is a growing concern for officials. As authorities continue to crack down on this issue, the community's safety is reportedly improving with the removal of large quantities of black market marijuana from circulation.