Fatalities and Mass Arrests: Federal Immigration Raids Rock California Cannabis Farms

Federal immigration agents conducted sweeping operations at two Southern California cannabis farms on Thursday, resulting in the death of a farmworker, the arrest of approximately 200 suspected undocumented immigrants, and intense standoffs with hundreds of protesters.

At Glass House Farms, a large licensed cannabis greenhouse in Camarillo, social media videos captured agents using “less-lethal” ammunition against crowds. The United Farm Workers (UFW) union confirmed that one worker fell several stories from a greenhouse at the Camarillo site and later died from injuries sustained during the operation. The worker’s identity has not been released.

Ventura County Fire Department reported transporting eight individuals to local hospitals for injuries and treating four others at the scene. Concurrently, federal agents also entered another Glass House Farms site in Carpinteria, where a smaller crowd gathered.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed that federal agents executed a search warrant at a marijuana farm, making arrests for impeding operations. The FBI is investigating a shooting that occurred in Camarillo, with video appearing to show a protester opening fire at agents. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott stated that ten unaccompanied minors were found at the farm, leading to a child labor investigation.

The raids ignited widespread condemnation. Protesters, reaching up to 500 people, blocked roads and clashed with agents who deployed tear gas and rubber bullets. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) was denied access to one site, calling the tactics “disproportionate” and “overkill.” Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur criticized the “bold and aggressive” actions of ICE, expressing concerns for the community’s well-being and seeking legal avenues to address the activities. An investor in Glass House Farms, Marc Cohodes, decried the raid on a fully licensed and regulated company as “beyond outrageous.”

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