California Officers Rescue Kidnapped Child in Napa County, Disrupt Major Illegal Cannabis Operation in Los Angeles County
Contacts:
California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Sarah.Sol@Wildlife.ca.gov
California State Parks
Newsroom@parks.ca.gov
An aerial photo of the unlicensed cannabis cultivation site in Lancaster. Photo from California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.
What You Need to Know: In two recent Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) operations, California law enforcement officers demonstrated extraordinary courage and operational excellence—rescuing a kidnapped child, eradicating nearly 27,000 illegal cannabis plants worth over $22 million, and apprehending suspects wanted for violent felonies.
SACRAMENTO – California continues to dismantle illegal cannabis operations through coordinated enforcement actions led by the state’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF). In the past two weeks, UCETF partners executed two high-impact operations in Napa and Los Angeles counties, showcasing the taskforce’s commitment to public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of the legal cannabis market.
Napa County – August 21, 2025
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.”
Los Angeles County – August 28, 2025
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.
“These operations reflect the strength of California’s unified enforcement strategy,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife Chief of Enforcement Nathaniel Arnold. “Our officers are not only removing toxic products from circulation—they’re protecting communities and safeguarding the future of the legal cannabis market.”
A unified strategy across California
UCETF was established in 2022 by Governor Newsom to enhance collaboration and enforcement coordination between state, local, and federal partners. The taskforce is co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and coordinated by the Homeland Security Division of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). It includes more than two dozen local, state, and federal partners working together to disrupt the illegal cannabis market.
To learn more about the legal California cannabis market, state licenses, and laws, visit cannabis.ca.gov.
To learn how to recognize and report illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands in California, see CDFW’s fact sheet.
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