The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom announced that more than $222 million worth of illegal cannabis was destroyed from July through September 2025, including a large amount in Monterey County.Video above from our past coverage of the Monterey County bust. California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) conducted 17 multiagency operations across 15 counties, including Monterey County, and destroyed 66.5 tons of illegal cannabis valued at $222 million in total, per the governor’s office.Over this period, 133,372 pounds of illegal cannabis were eradicated—234,198 plants that would have used 105 million gallons of water over their growing cycles.In total, 18 arrests were made, and 22 firearms were confiscated, per the governor’s office.These operations spanned 15 counties, including Monterey, Los Angeles, Kern, Alameda, and Shasta.“California remains committed to protecting consumers, public safety, and supporting our legal cannabis market. These enforcement actions send a clear message: Illegal operations will not be tolerated,” Newsom said.The largest bust occurred in Monterey County in July on San Juan Road near Pajaro. The UCETF, led by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, dismantled a major illegal cultivation site, per the governor’s office.In total, in Monterey County, 38 tons of cannabis (122,445 plants), valued at more than $125 million, were destroyed. The governor’s office says this is “one of the most significant cannabis enforcement efforts in state history.” There were no arrests made in Monterey County or confiscation of weapons. KSBW 8 covered the operation in July, when approximately 70 local, state, and federal agents raided the farm, emptying large containers of marijuana.“Illegal cannabis grow operations take—and often contaminate—natural resources that California’s fish and wildlife depend on for their survival,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “California is fortunate to have so many partners working in coordination to dismantle these unlicensed commercial grow sites statewide and prioritize both our public safety and the health of our environment.”