Cannabis busts in Oakland, Hayward close month for state task force
State cannabis task force members served warrants at three East Bay locations late last month, recovering plants and processed flowers, as well as cash and firearms, authorities said.
In a statement Monday, the Department of Cannabis Control said that operations led by its enforcement staff, as well as the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, recovered two firearms, $68,841 in cash and an estimated $33.9 million in illegal cannabis.
According to a cannabis department spokeswoman, the warrants were served Jan. 26 at a warehouse in the 1600 block of 34th Street of West Oakland and at an undisclosed Hayward address that yielded 26,836 illegal plants, valued at $22,139,700, and 2,720 pounds of illegal cannabis flower, valued at $4,488,000, as well as an AR-style semi-automatic rifle, a handgun, and the cash.
Early on Jan. 27, Fish and Wildlife staff served additional warrants at an address in the 1200 block of 48th Avenue in East Oakland, recovering 7,113 illegal cannabis plants valued at $5,868,225, as well as 906 pounds of processed flower valued at $1,494,900.
The spokeswoman credited the state’s department of tax and fee administration with financial expertise that aided task force investigations.
When reached for comment, a Hayward police spokeswoman said officers were aware of the operation but did not assist with traffic control or any other department resources. Oakland police did not respond to a request for comment.
Department resources logged a busy year in East Bay operations, including several operations in Oakland and Antioch during December’s final weeks.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.