Federal agents arrested 75 illegal immigrants working in horrific conditions at Southern California marijuana farms, highlighting President Trump’s intensified approach to tackling both illegal immigration and drug trafficking operations nationwide.
Key Takeaways
- A massive operation involving 500 federal agents and military personnel raided illegal marijuana farms covering 787 acres near Coachella, California
- 75 illegal immigrants were arrested working at three unauthorized cannabis growing operations in dangerous conditions, with temperatures reaching 112 degrees
- One U.S. citizen was arrested for obstructing law enforcement during the operation
- Democratic politicians criticized the raid as causing “terror and anxiet,y” despite the operation targeting illegal drug operations, not immigration enforcement
- The operation represents a coordinated effort betweenthe DEA, ICE, FBI, ATF, Border Patrol, and National Guard to combat illegal drug cultivation
Massive Federal Operation Targets Illegal Marijuana Growing Operations
In a significant show of force against illegal drug cultivation, approximately 500 federal agents and military personnel conducted raids on unauthorized marijuana farms in Thermal, California. The operation on June 18, 2025, was specifically focused on three illegal cannabis growing operations near Coachella, covering approximately 787 acres of land. Federal search warrants authorized by a magistrate judge allowed the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to lead this extensive operation targeting the vast network of illegal marijuana cultivation in the region.
“The operation is authorized by federal search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge,” stated DEA officials. The agency coordinated with multiple law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, and the National Guard, due to the operation’s scale and the challenging topography of the area. Videos and photos released by the DEA showed extensive indoor marijuana growing facilities and numerous arrests taking place during the operation.
500 federal agents and soldiers raid marijuana farms in rural Southern California
Massive Illegal Drug Operation -Controlled By Mexican Drug Cartels in California Busted By DEAThe drug operations were on Federal Land and were employing a large number of Illegal Migrants.
— An Appeal To Heaven 🌲 (@JohnHen62340741) June 19, 2025
Illegal Immigrants Exploited in Dangerous Conditions
The raid revealed the exploitation of illegal immigrants working in hazardous conditions at these unauthorized marijuana farms. “Up to 75 illegal immigrants were arrested during a raid of illegal marijuana growing operations in Southern California on June 18, 2025,” reported U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officials. These workers were laboring in extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 112 degrees in inadequate living and working environments. The operation highlights how illegal drug operations frequently exploit undocumented workers who have few legal protections and little recourse against dangerous working conditions.
“It is causing terror, anxiety, and fear in our communities, and it’s unacceptable. We have people out there working in the fields to feed America who are … afraid for their families. It’s 113 degrees out there right now. This is not America. This needs to stop,” said U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz, criticizing the operation despite its focus on criminal drug activity rather than immigration enforcement.
The DEA emphasized that this was “a vast investigation involving multiple illegal marijuana grow operations in Thermal,” refuting claims by some local officials that this was primarily an immigration enforcement action. The evidence clearly showed organized criminal activity exploiting both America’s borders and vulnerable illegal immigrants for profit through illegal drug cultivation.
Trump Administration Strengthens Border and Drug Enforcement
This operation reflects President Trump’s commitment to tackling both illegal immigration and drug trafficking simultaneously. The coordination between multiple agencies demonstrates the administration’s whole-of-government approach to border security and drug enforcement. One U.S. citizen was also arrested during the operation for impeding law enforcement, showing that these illegal operations often involve American citizens facilitating criminal activity while exploiting illegal labor.
The raids occurred amid the Trump administration’s reinvigorated approach to immigration enforcement, with National Guard members activated to support federal agencies in California. Local immigrant advocacy groups, including TODE, monitored the situation, urging residents to remain calm despite the significant law enforcement presence. The Desert Recreation District reported that federal law enforcement staged in a local park without prior coordination, indicating the sensitive nature of the operation. Many of the targeted marijuana farms were reportedly on tribal land, adding another dimension to the legal complexities surrounding these illegal operations.
