Law enforcement authorities arrested 148 individuals involved in illegal marijuana cultivation across California, according to Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

AG Becerra said the arrests were part of the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP), the largest illegal marijuana eradication program in the United States.

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) led the CAMP operations, which included local, state and federal agencies. Three teams of agents were responsible for conducting the CAMP operations in Northern, Central and Southern California.

This year, CAMP agents destroyed 953,456 marijuana plants from 345 raided sites across the state. They also seized a total of 168 weapons during the raids.

During their operations, CAMP agents assisted in serving more than 120 search warrants to those engaged in illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands. They found banned pesticides such as carbofuran, methyl parathion, aluminum phosphate, and illegal fertilizers as well as trash on the illegal grow sites.

They also discovered that the suspects discharge large quantities of these harmful chemicals were into the state’s waterways. CAMP agents, shutdown the illegal marijuana grow sites and stopped the dangerous criminal activity.

The CAMP operations this year resulted in the protection of public lands and waters against misuse and from illegal pesticides.

California is committed to cracking down illegal marijuana growers

In a statement, AG Becerra said, “Illegal cannabis grows are devastating our communities. Criminals who disregard life, poison our waters, damage our public lands, and weaponize the illegal cannabis black market will be brought to justice.”

He added, “Illegal cannabis grows are devastating our communities. Criminals who disregard life, poison our waters, damage our public lands, and weaponize the illegal cannabis black market will be brought to justice.”

On the other hand, David Bess, Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, commented, “Combating illegal marijuana cultivation takes dedication, teamwork, perseverance and courage. I’m immensely proud of the work we accomplished during the year with our county, state and federal partners. Together, we are protecting California’s natural resources and providing another measure of public safety.”