Illegal Weed Growing Operation Found In House Owned By Oakland Police Officer

An illegal marijuana growing operation worth approximately $1 million was discovered in an Antioch home owned by Oakland police officer Samson Liu. Liu, who purchased the house in 2020, was placed on administrative leave on April 30th. While the Oakland Police Department did not initially disclose Liu's identity, CNN revealed his name through property records. The raid, conducted by the State Department of Cannabis Control, targeted three houses and uncovered the illegal operation. This incident highlights the issue of large-scale illegal marijuana operations in California, often linked to organized crime. Authorities suggest these operations are sophisticated and connected to Chinese criminal syndicates, though specific details remain undisclosed due to ongoing investigations. A separate investigation by the Los Angeles Times revealed widespread use of banned pesticides in both legal and illegal cannabis farms across California. The presence of these toxic substances, found in at least six counties, poses health risks and has even led to the hospitalization of law enforcement officers during raids.