Congressman Gallagher Urges FBI to Combat Illegal Marijuana Operations in Northern California

Rep. James Gallagher, R-Calif., has called on FBI Director Kash Patel to address illegal marijuana cultivation operations in Northern California. This request follows concerns raised by the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office about widespread illegal growing and the use of immigrant labor in the area.

Gallagher highlighted the impact these operations have had on local ranchers and the depletion of groundwater supplies. He also expressed worry about potential involvement from Chinese organized-crime networks.

Entire rural properties are now covered with rows of makeshift, plastic-covered greenhouses, known as ‘hoop houses,’ where marijuana is cultivated using groundwater hauled in from nearby wells, Gallagher wrote in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital.

Authorities executed 26 search warrants across various counties, including Tulare, Kern, and Los Angeles, as part of the largest enforcement effort of the spring. Gallagher stressed how residents are facing depleted water supplies and safety risks, while local farmers compete for limited groundwater resources.

The letter mentioned an estimated 7,000 illegal growers operating in the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision. Illegal cultivation has reportedly spread onto federal lands, including the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

In a 2025 report, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office eradicated over 332,000 illegal marijuana plants and seized more than 54,000 pounds of processed marijuana. Gallagher expressed concerns about organized crime involvement, citing evidence from a 2018 federal investigation where Chinese networks funded illegal growing activities in California.

In Siskiyou County, investigators have traced cultivation properties to individuals residing outside the county, while those managing the grows often have no apparent ownership interest, Gallagher wrote.

The congressman also pointed to environmental damage caused by the use of toxic pesticides, some of which are banned in the United States and suspected to be illegally imported with Chinese-language labels.

Investigators in Siskiyou County found at least 27 different pesticide compounds at illegal grow sites. Officials warned of potential health risks to residents and law enforcement officers exposed to these chemicals.