During a press conference, California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, 'We are not talking about shoplifting a couple of packs of THC gummies. We're talking about coordinated schemes, organized efforts that hurt our businesses and pose a threat to our communities.' He highlighted the need for organized law enforcement responses to combat such organized criminal activities.
Bonta detailed the operations of the crime ring, noting that 22 men were arrested from a total of 15 break-ins, mostly in Santa Cruz County. He mentioned, 'Instead of bringing multiple cases in multiple counties, we centralized it here in Santa Cruz County, praising the collaborative work of multiple law enforcement agencies and partners.' This centralization aims to streamline legal proceedings.
Regarding the scale of the theft, Bonta estimated the value of the stolen cannabis and related items at over $1 million, stating, 'The 15 break-ins charged in the case largely took place after hours at cannabis dispensaries.' He explained that the stolen items were not sold in bulk, but were instead sold individually through various channels including social media.
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