Rep. James Gallagher, a Republican from California, has called on FBI Director Kash Patel to tackle the issue of illegal marijuana cultivation in Northern California. This plea follows reports from the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office highlighting the extensive use of unauthorized immigrant labor and the illegal cultivation of marijuana in the area.
Gallagher expressed concern about the detrimental effects these operations have on local communities, including groundwater depletion and the potential involvement of Chinese organized crime networks. He stated, “Entire rural properties are now filled with makeshift greenhouses, known as ‘hoop houses,’ where marijuana is grown using water from nearby wells.”
The consequences have been devastating, with residents facing depleted water supplies and threats to their safety, while local farmers and ranchers contend with increased competition for groundwater and contamination risks to their agricultural land.
Authorities recently executed 26 search warrants in Tulare, Kern, and Los Angeles counties as part of a large enforcement operation. The letter Gallagher sent cited an estimated 7,000 illegal growers in the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision alone. In 2025, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office reported eradicating 332,871 illegal marijuana plants and confiscating 54,070 pounds of processed marijuana.
Gallagher is also worried about Chinese organized-crime networks possibly sponsoring these operations. He noted, “Investigators have traced cultivation properties to outsiders, with managers often having no ownership stake, raising concerns about who is financing and controlling these operations.”
The congressman referenced a 2018 federal investigation that uncovered an illegal marijuana operation funded by Chinese money. This led to forfeiture actions for over 100 properties in Sacramento, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
Environmental damage from illegal grow sites is another concern, especially the use of toxic pesticides. Gallagher highlighted the prevalence of substances banned in the U.S. and products with labels in Chinese, suggesting illegal imports.
County investigators have identified at least 27 pesticide compounds at illegal grow sites, with officials warning that these chemicals could endanger residents, law enforcement, and first responders.
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