Solidarity Network confirms no ICE activity at cannabis farms; people detained then released

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) - Amid fears of ICE activity at Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties' cannabis farms, the Solidarity Network has confirmed there is no ICE activity.

According to the Solidarity Network, the operation ongoing at a cannabis farm on 1492 San Juan Rd in Watsonville is a state operation and not a federal one.

Another cannabis farm in Greenfield had workers leave due to ICE fears, but there was no ICE presence.

"I just want to reassure the public that we are not here for immigration enforcement," Commander Kevin McInerney, Cannabis Department of Cannabis Control. "We understand people's fears and we want to reassure them that we are never going to be involved in that."

Mclnerney adds that they have about 50 agents working on these cases statewide. The Cannabis Control agency works with other agencies in the region, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and federal agencies.

At least 30 people are currently being held at the facility while the agency conducts the criminal investigation. Commander Mclnerney says they will be verifying the identity of the individuals and once it is confirmed that the individuals are not the ones they are looking for, they will be released.

He further clarified that his agency is statewide, and that they do not have jurisdiction to conduct an immigration raid.

Both the Santa Cruz County and Monterey County Response Networks were alerted to the activity. The Monterey Response Line posted that at a cannabis farm in Greenfield, people feared a possible ICE presence, and workers retreated to their homes.

As for the farm in Wasonville, dozens of family members of the people who reported this activity arrived on the scene, as agents allegedly surrounded the facility, shutting down and flying helicopters in the area.

Calls to our station came in shortly before 7:30 a.m., our reporters are on the scene.