New Task Force Eradicates $15 Million Worth of Illegal Weed in Tuolumne County

A new task force has eradicated 11,260 illegal cannabis plants and 5,237 pounds of illegal processed flower in the town of Jupiter in Tuolumne County. The entire haul was worth an estimated $15 million.

The operation was carried out October 4 by the Unified Enforcement Task Force, created in June at the direction of Gov. Gavin Newsom. Also assisting in the operation was the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, Tuolumne County Probation, Tuolumne County Code Enforcement, Tuolumne County Animal Control, Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office, Tri County Drug Enforcement Team, Western El Dorado County Narcotics Enforcement, U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, California State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Industrial Relations, CALFIRE, U.S. Department of Forestry, and the California National Guard.

CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham said several environmental violations were documented during the operation, including some which posed a threat to wildlife.

“California is taking immediate and aggressive action to stop illegal cannabis and strengthen the burgeoning legal market throughout the state,” said Governor Newsom. “By shutting down illegal grow sites and applying serious consequences to offenders, we are working to curtail the criminal organizations that are undercutting the regulated cannabis market in California.”

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