Raids target illegal Southern California marijuana farms

HEMET, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say nearly 141,000 marijuana plants were seized in Southern California this week in a massive raid targeting dozens of illegal cultivation sites.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says some 700 law enforcement officers served warrants Wednesday at more than 118 marijuana grows in the Anza Valley, an inland region between Los Angeles and San Diego.

In addition to the plants, authorities seized more than 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of processed marijuana, 17 rifles and 10 handguns. Eight people were arrested.

The Sheriff’s Department says in recent months there have been crimes of homicide, theft, robbery, kidnapping and theft of utilities associated with illegal grows in the Anza Valley.