“Exploitation” and “Forced Child Labor”
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the scene at the farm as potentially involving “exploitation, forced child labor, and human trafficking.” Reports from federal agents say some workers may have been assaulted or faced gunfire during enforcement.
Among those arrested was Juan Duarte-Velasquez, a Mexican national with rape and DUI convictions.
Episource Cyberattack Exposes Medical and Personal Information of 5.4 Million Americans
A Divided Response from California Leadership
Gov. Gavin Newsom has not directly commented on the Farrar donation but did take to social media to blast FOX News, pointing out that co-founder Kyle Kazan is a Trump supporter and had donated to Newsom’s recall effort.
“Sure, is rich for Fox News and the Trump Admin to point to campaign donations to Democrats, when in fact, the CEO is a Trump supporter,” Newsom wrote on X.
A Brand Built on “Ethics” Now in Question
Glass House Brands, co-founded by Farrar and Kazan, boasted a $300 million market cap last year, according to entrepreneur Alejandro Cremades. The company has built its reputation on sustainable, ethical farming, but the ICE investigation now threatens to undercut that image.
“It’s a saga of passion, perseverance, and a profound belief in the positive impact of cannabis,” Cremades once wrote. But now, that saga is facing a serious federal reckoning.
