Thursday

07-17-2025 Vol 2024

Federal Authorities Conduct Major Raids on California Marijuana Farms, Resulting in 360 Arrests and One Fatality

Federal authorities executed a significant crackdown last week at two marijuana farms in Southern California, resulting in the arrest of over 360 individuals. This operation, described as one of the largest since President Donald Trump took office in January, raises questions about immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on local communities.

The raids took place on Thursday, with federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) targeting Glass House Farms locations in Camarillo and Carpinteria, located northwest of Los Angeles. During the operation, one farmworker tragically died after falling from a greenhouse roof amidst the chaotic scene. The deceased has been identified as Jaime Alanis, 57, who had been the sole provider for his family back in Mexico.

Witnesses to the event reported tension in the air as crowds gathered, seeking information about their detained relatives and protesting against the immigration enforcement. Law enforcement clad in military-style gear faced off with demonstrators, scattering amid clouds of tear gas.

Glass House Brands is a prominent cannabis company in California, having transitioned from traditional farming of vegetables to cannabis production over the past decade. The company operated a facility in Carpinteria and expanded by acquiring another site in Camarillo, where they continued to grow tomatoes alongside cannabis.

Initially, authorities announced that around 200 individuals suspected of being in the country illegally were apprehended. However, the numbers continued to climb, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem later reporting 319 arrests, ultimately raising the total to 361 as per DHS. This figure includes four individuals with prior criminal convictions for serious offenses such as rape and kidnapping.

The raids not only resulted in numerous arrests but also led to one death, marking it as the first known fatality during the ongoing immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration. Alanis had contacted his family during the raid, expressing his fears and stating he was hiding from federal agents. His family members revealed that he suffered a serious fall, around 30 feet, leading to his eventual death from injuries.

Authorities asserted that the raids were conducted in response to possible child labor violations and human trafficking concerns. Initially, DHS claimed there were 10 minors on the property, later adjusting that number to 14. However, details about the children, including their ages and circumstances, remain sparse, with no specific charges filed against the company.

Federal and state laws permit children as young as 12 to work in agriculture under certain conditions. In California, minors can work outside of school hours, while those aged 16 are allowed to work during school hours if not required to attend. However, no one under 21 is permitted to work in the cannabis industry.

In May 2025, the California Department of Cannabis Control conducted a visit to the site and confirmed no minors were found present. Following the raids, the state initiated a thorough investigation into the company’s compliance with local regulations.

During the operation, four U.S. citizens were arrested for allegedly assaulting or resisting federal officers. They are among those facing scrutiny, with DHS offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of an individual suspected of firing a weapon at federal agents. Among the detainees is Jonathan Caravello, a professor at California State University Channel Islands.

Caravello was arrested for allegedly throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement during the raids. His institution’s faculty association reported that he was taken without clear identification by agents and held incommunicado for a significant time. A federal judge subsequently granted him a $15,000 bond, with his arraignment set for August 1.

Another individual, George Retes, 25, a U.S. citizen and a disabled veteran, was also taken into custody during the chaotic events. His family disclosed that he worked as a security guard at the Camarillo farm. Retes was allegedly trying to escape the clashes between agents and protesters when he was stopped, leading to his arrest.

In response to the panicked atmosphere following the raids, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced plans to provide monetary assistance to residents hesitant to leave their homes. This initiative came through an executive order that aimed to enhance city protocols regarding federal immigration activities. The financial aid will be distributed through partnerships with philanthropic organizations, akin to relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The objective is to support individuals deterred from attending essential activities such as work, school, or medical services due to fear of immigration enforcement. The order mandates the city to seek records from federal agencies concerning what it considers unlawful raids while ensuring additional support for impacted community members.

As more raids are anticipated in the area, the interaction between immigration enforcement and local immigrant populations could further escalate tensions. This situation exemplifies the ongoing conflict surrounding federal immigration policies and their implications on vulnerable communities across Southern California.

image source from:mymotherlode

Charlotte Hayes