Largest ICE Raid Yet: 319 Arrested at Weed Farms

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — In the pre‑dawn hours of Thursday, ICE agents descended on two licensed cannabis farms in Trinity and Humboldt counties, detaining 319 undocumented laborers in what officials are calling the largest work‑site immigration raid of the Trump administration.

ICE Raid Operation Timeline & Arrests

• 4:30 a.m. PDT — Tactical teams served simultaneous federal warrants.
• Agents cited credible reports of widespread labor trafficking after a six‑month DHS investigation.
• The two farms supply several California‑based dispensary brands, none named publicly—yet.

Undocumented Workers Facing Immigration Charges

According to an ICE briefing, 287 workers face civil removal proceedings, while 32 are subject to criminal re‑entry or fraud charges. Farm owners Rick “R.J.” Cortez and Samantha Yoon were taken into federal custody on suspicion of 18 USC § 1594.

Death Reported During ICE Raid on Cannabis Farm

During the raid at the Trinity County location, farmworker José Luis Pérez (de León, 41) attempted to scale a drying‑room catwalk to evade arrest, lost footing, and fell 22 feet. He died en route to Mercy Medical Redding. OSHA and Cal/OSHA have opened parallel investigations into workplace safety violations.

Impact of the Immigration Raid on California Weed Farms

319 arrests eclipse the Mississippi poultry plant raids (2019, 680 arrests) in scale for licensed‑industry worksites during the post‑Trump era, signaling a potential policy shift.

Political Reactions to the ICE Cannabis Farm Raid

• Governor Gavin Newsom called the death “an avoidable tragedy” and demanded DHS transparency.
• Rep. Kevin Kiley (R‑CA) applauded ICE, accusing rival Democrats of creating a magnet for illegal labor in the booming weed sector.
• Labor watchdogs warn the bust could push undocumented farmhands further underground, risking more deaths.

Immigration Court Dates for California ICE Raid

Owner arraignments are set for July 15 in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. Workers will appear before immigration judges in San Francisco starting July 18.