Massive Multi-Agency Operation Targeting Illegal Commercial Marijuana Operations Eradicates over 150,000 Illicit Cannabis Plants
LASSEN COUNTY, CA — A multi-week law enforcement operation targeting illegal commercial marijuana operations across northern Lassen County resulted in the eradication of over 150,000 plants and the seizure of thousands of pounds of processed cannabis.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and Lassen County Code Enforcement initiated the joint investigation in June after aerial surveillance flights identified active, unlicensed cultivation sites. Investigators confirmed that none of the operations held valid commercial licenses from either the State of California or Lassen County.
During two separate operational phases—held August 17–21 and September 7–11—personnel from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, the California Department of Justice Eradication & Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) program, and the Bureau of Land Management executed search warrants across 47 individual parcels.
Executing officers eradicated approximately 151,177 marijuana plants and seized 19,973 pounds of processed cannabis. Responding teams also confiscated 11 firearms from the illegal sites. Investigators noted severe environmental impacts at several locations, including thousands of pounds of discarded refuse, hazardous agricultural pesticides, and illegal stream diversions causing local water contamination.
County officials announced that property owners of record for the affected parcels will face local tax assessments based on the square footage of the unpermitted cultivation operations. Detectives continue to pursue leads to identify and prosecute those responsible for establishing the illegal sites.
