In the early morning hours of Thursday, 16 September 2021, the Glenn Investigations and Narcotics Task Force (GLINTF) conducted a compliance operation at three illegal outdoor cannabis grow sites within a few miles of each other on County Road 8 west of Orland.[1] Agents arrested 28-year-old Vidal Chavez Jr. of Orland on allegations of cultivating marijuana for sale, operating a butane honey oil (BHO) lab and child endangerment.[1] County jail booking records show a GLINTF agent took Chavez, an Orland cashier, into custody at 6138 County Road 8 and booked him into the Glenn County Jail at 9:50 a.m. on $200,000 bail on felony allegations of marijuana cultivation, possession of marijuana for sale, manufacturing a controlled substance and child endangerment.[2]

Agents seized 545 marijuana plants, 145 pounds (about 65.8 kg) of processed marijuana and two ounces (about 57 grams) of concentrated cannabis across the separate County Road 8 properties.[3] The task force described the plants as mature and also located a butane honey oil lab at one of the addresses.[4] The Glenn County Probation Department, Orland Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Glenn County District Attorney’s Office assisted in serving the three separate search warrants.[4]

Although recreational cannabis use is legal in California, authorities noted that selling marijuana or having more than six plants without a licence remains illegal.[3] Under local Ordinance 15.797.020, Glenn County also prohibits outdoor marijuana cultivation across all zoning districts as well as cannabis delivery.[1]