Federal agents arrested 75 illegal immigrants working in sweltering 112-degree heat at massive cannabis operations spanning nearly 800 acres in Southern California, exposing yet another intersection of America’s illegal immigration and drug trafficking crises.
Key Takeaways
- A massive operation involving 500 federal agents and military personnel targeted three illegal marijuana growing operations near Coachella, California
- Approximately 75 illegal immigrants were arrested while working in dangerous conditions with temperatures reaching 112 degrees
- The operation covered 787 acres of illegal cannabis farms and involved multiple federal agencies including DEA, ICE, FBI, Border Patrol, and National Guard
- One U.S. citizen was detained for obstructing the investigation, highlighting criminal elements managing these operations
- Left-wing politicians criticized the enforcement action despite the clear criminal enterprise and exploitation of vulnerable migrants
Massive Federal Operation Targets Illegal Drug Operations
On June 18, 2025, the Drug Enforcement Administration led a coordinated operation targeting three massive illegal marijuana growing operations in Thermal, California, near Coachella. The scale of the operation was staggering, with search warrants covering approximately 787 acres of illicit cannabis farms. Federal authorities deployed an impressive force of 500 personnel including agents from the DEA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Patrol, the FBI, ATF, and National Guard troops to execute what the DEA described as a vast investigation involving multiple illegal marijuana grow operations in Thermal.
The operation required military assistance due to its massive scale and the challenging topography of the region. Each search warrant was properly signed by a federal magistrate judge, providing legal authorization for the coordinated raids. “The operation is authorized by federal search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge,” confirmed DEA officials.
Illegal Immigrants Exploited in Dangerous Conditions
The raid resulted in the arrest of approximately 75 illegal immigrants who were working at these illicit cannabis operations in extremely dangerous conditions. Workers were subjected to temperatures reaching 112 degrees without proper protection or legal employment protections. One U.S. citizen was also detained for impeding law enforcement during the operation, highlighting the criminal network managing these farms. The illegal workers, likely victims of labor trafficking, were operating under hazardous conditions while helping criminal enterprises profit from illicit drug production.
500 federal agents and soldiers raid marijuana farms in rural Southern California
Massive Illegal Drug Operation -Controlled By Mexican Drug Cartels in California Busted By DEAThe drug operations were on Federal Land and were employing a large number of Illegal Migrants.
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— An Appeal To Heaven 🌲 (@JohnHen62340741) June 19, 2025
“Up to 75 illegal immigrants were arrested during a raid of illegal marijuana growing operations in Southern California on June 18, 2025,” confirmed U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officials.
Videos and photos released by the DEA showed large indoor marijuana grows and multiple detentions. The conditions appeared deplorable, with workers housed in makeshift accommodations and subjected to extreme heat while tending to illegal cannabis plants. This operation exemplifies how illegal immigration and drug trafficking often intersect, creating dangerous situations for vulnerable migrants who become entangled in criminal enterprises after crossing the border unlawfully.
Left-Wing Politicians Criticize Law Enforcement
Despite the clear criminal nature of these operations, several Democratic politicians quickly condemned the enforcement action. U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz criticized what he called “collateral arrests” of illegal immigrants and the “militarization” of immigration enforcement, seemingly more concerned with the status of those breaking immigration laws than the criminal drug operation itself. “It is causing terror and anxiety and fear in our communities, and it’s unacceptable. We have people out there working in the fields to feed America that are … afraid for their families. It’s 113 degrees out there right now. This is not America. This needs to stop,” said U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz
Similarly, Riverside County Supervisor Manuel Perez condemned the enforcement actions as “inhumane and destabilizing” despite their targeting of illegal drug operations. These responses from elected officials raise serious questions about their priorities – protecting illegal aliens involved in criminal enterprises rather than supporting law enforcement efforts to dismantle drug operations that poison American communities. The President Trump administration’s approach of combining drug enforcement with immigration enforcement represents a comprehensive strategy to address multiple threats to American safety and sovereignty simultaneously.
A Model for Future Enforcement
This operation represents a textbook example of effective cross-agency cooperation under the Trump administration. By leveraging resources from multiple federal agencies including the DEA, ICE, Border Patrol, FBI, ATF, and military assets, authorities were able to target a massive criminal enterprise that exploited both America’s drug laws and its immigration system. The operation’s success demonstrates that when properly resourced and politically supported, federal law enforcement can effectively combat both the illegal drug trade and illegal immigration simultaneously.
The 787 acre operation uncovered in Southern California stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats posed by open borders and lax enforcement. As President Trump continues to strengthen border security and empower federal law enforcement, we can expect more successful operations targeting the criminal networks that exploit America’s vulnerabilities. The brazen scale of these illegal marijuana farms, operating in plain sight across hundreds of acres, shows just how emboldened criminal enterprises became during periods of lax enforcement prior to Trump’s return to office.
