California Department of Cannabis Control officers served a search warrant at Gro More Garden Supply on Clovis Avenue in Fresno, just north of Clinton Avenue.[1] The raid was carried out on the morning of Wednesday 10 January 2024, and officers were seen carrying bags and boxes of marijuana out of the rear warehouse of the building, which held several suites.[1] Officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fresno Police Department were also at the scene.[1]

The city seized 811 unlicensed marijuana plants, Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz announced.[2] In all, 526 pounds (about 238.6 kilograms) of unlicensed cannabis was seized, which police valued at an estimated $868,725.[1] The city also seized hundreds of pounds of illegal cannabis.[2] Pacific Gas and Electric shut off power to the building because of electrical hazards and code violations, including unpermitted modifications.[2]

The operation was run by the city’s code enforcement team with the Fresno Police Department, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Tax and Fee Administration.[2]

A neighbouring business owner said the block had smelled of “skunk weed for a very long time” and that she was not surprised by the raid.[1]