California seizes $1.5 billion in illegally grown marijuana in 2019

California seized more than $1.5 billion worth of illegally grown marijuana during 2019.

State Attorney General Xaviar Becerra says this year’s raids netted more than 950-thousand plants from nearly 350 growing sites this year.

The raids put nearly 150 people behind bars, and resulted in the seizure of nearly 170 weapons.

Becerra says agents seized more plants this year than it did in 2018. He believes wildfires impeded efforts last year, because smoke hid many grow sites.

Officials say illegally growing operations harm both the state’s wildlife and its waterways.