By SDCN Editor
Sacramento, CA–Reinforcing California’s commitment to supporting a legal and safe cannabis industry and dismantling the illegal market, Governor Newsom announced the Governor’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF) seized $53.62 million in illegal cannabis in the first quarter of this calendar year — including 54,137 unlicensed cannabis plants and 31,866 pounds of unlicensed cannabis products.
Operations were conducted in Alameda, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Joaquin, and Orange County. Enforcement highlights from the period of January 1 through March 31, 2024, include: $53,620,600 million in illegal cannabis seized, 31,866 pounds of unlicensed cannabis seized, 54,137 unlicensed cannabis plants eradicated, and 11 firearms seized
Since its inception, UCETF has seized $371,199,431 in unlicensed cannabis through 236 search warrants. The task force has also eradicated 401,458 plants and seized 139 firearms. Created by Newsom in 2022, the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force has been charged by the governor to align state efforts and increase cannabis enforcement coordination between state, local, and federal partners. The task force’s enforcement actions protect consumer and public safety, safeguard the environment, and deprive illegal cannabis operators and transnational criminal organizations of illicit revenue that harms consumers and undercuts the regulated cannabis market in California.
State agencies and departments participating in UCETF operations during Q1 2024 include the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Employment Development Department, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, California State Parks, and the Department of Tax and Fee Administration. In addition, multiple federal and local partners assisted with enforcement operations.
The number of airline passengers screened at TSA security checkpoints increased from the same period in 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) screened more than 206 million passengers, compared to more than 191 million passengers in the first quarter of 2023, representing an increase of 7.8%. The rate of passengers with firearms during the most recent quarter was 7.3 firearms per one million passengers, which is a slight decrease from the same period in 2023 when the rate of discovery was 7.9 firearms per one million passengers.
“While it is certainly promising that the rate of passengers bringing firearms to the checkpoint has decreased, one firearm at the checkpoint is too many,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “The demand for air travel is as strong as ever and security is always our number one priority. Every time we discover a firearm at the checkpoint, the security screening process is slowed down for all. Traveling with a firearm is allowed and it must be packed properly as checked baggage and declared to the airline at the ticket counter. We always recommend passengers start with a clean bag when they pack to ensure no firearms, weapons or other prohibited items are present.”
Passengers may travel with a firearm, but it must be secured, unloaded, and locked in a hard-sided case in the passenger’s checked baggage. Passengers must declare to the airline when checking their bags at the ticket counter
Firearms are prohibited at security checkpoints, in the secure area of an airport, and the passenger cabin of an aircraft, even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction. TSA encourages airline passengers to “Prepare Pack Declare.”
TSA does not confiscate or seize firearms. If a passenger brings a firearm to the security checkpoint on their person or in their carry-on luggage, the officer will contact local law enforcement to safely unload and take possession of the firearm. Law enforcement may also arrest or cite the passenger, depending on local law. TSA may impose a civil penalty of up to almost $15,000 for the first offense, passengers who bring a firearm to a security checkpoint will lose TSA PreCheck eligibility for five years. Second offenses will result in permanent disqualification from the program and additional civil penalties.
Passengers can download the free MyTSA app for information on items allowed on an aircraft.
