In two recent Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) operations, California law enforcement officers destroyed nearly 27,000 illegal cannabis plants worth more than $22 million and rescued a kidnapped child.
During a multiagency cannabis enforcement operation in Napa County, State Parks officers executed a search warrant and dismantled a water diversion that originated from within the adjacent state park—then the officers encountered a separate public safety emergency.
Unrelated to the cannabis operation, a suspect attempted to steal a patrol vehicle and later carjacked a motorist—with the victim’s 7-year-old daughter still inside. State Parks officers initiated a pursuit and safely recovered the child before arresting the suspect. The suspect, who had crashed a stolen vehicle prior to the encounter, was wanted for arson, assault with a deadly weapon, and theft.
"This was more than a simple enforcement action—it was a moment of heroism, a moment where State Park Rangers and Lifeguards demonstrated their prowess as fully sworn peace officers,” said State Parks Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division Chief Alex Luscutoff. “The officers’ swift response and coordinated pursuit resulted in a mother being reunited with her daughter and a very dangerous individual being safely taken into custody.”
UCETF partners led by California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers served a search warrant at an unlicensed cannabis site in Lancaster and eradicated 26,878 cannabis plants worth $22 million. Officers detained 20 individuals, including two with active warrants—one for assault with a deadly weapon. Officers also seized highly toxic pesticides and fumigants produced in China. The teams involved in this operation transferred hazardous materials for destruction and collected evidence to support ongoing investigations.
