The Attorney General’s office announces cannabis theft busts, “large number” from Santa Cruz
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday that 22 arrests have been made involving a statewide organized crime operation that targeted cannabis retail stores--many of them from Santa Cruz--and resulting in a total loss of approximately $1 million and 975 pounds of cannabis.
"Once it was determined that a large number of thefts took place in the Santa Cruz region, Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office joined the investigation," wrote Bonta's office in a statement Thursday.
“These burglaries are damaging the livelihoods of law-abiding business owners, and we will not tolerate it," said Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart. "Our detectives have done outstanding work on these cases, and with the help and collaboration of over a dozen other agencies, these individuals will now have to answer for their crimes.”
The investigation started last February with the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Special Operations Unit (SOU) partnering with the Oakland Police Department, according to the Attorney General's office. Then, the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol joined in to serve a series of search and arrest warrants last July, said Bonta's office.
According to the Attorney General's office, the operation resulted in multiple arrests, the seizure of over 50 pounds of cannabis and then formal criminal complaints filed by the DOJ against 22 suspects for commercial burglary, grand theft, organized retail theft and conspiracy.
“All 19 defendants came from outside Santa Cruz County with the intent to rob legitimate, local cannabis businesses,” said Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell. “This investigation and prosecution is an example of State and Local Agencies working together to hold people accountable, protect public safety, and ensure justice is served. We will continue to work closely with all Agencies to protect Santa Cruz County.”
The organized criminal group are allegedly responsible for burglaries in the following counties across the California: Fresno, Kern, Merced, Monterey, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma.
“This work demonstrates that crossing into another jurisdiction doesn’t exempt you from accountability for crimes committed here or anywhere else,” said Sheriff Hart.
The names of the suspects have yet to be released.
