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Authorities in Riverside County, California, suspect that gang members of Laotian descent were behind the 2020 shooting deaths of seven people at an illegal marijuana growing operation in Aguanga. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has identified a mid-size, dark-colored SUV believed to have been used during the killings, which investigators consider a targeted attack.
The massacre took place at a rural property where more than 20 people lived in makeshift dwellings. Six victims were found dead at the scene, and a seventh victim, a woman, died later at a hospital. All seven victims were of Laotian descent. Investigators discovered over 1,000 marijuana plants and several hundred pounds of processed marijuana at the site.
Newsweek reached out to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department via email for comment.
A makeshift greenhouse behind a home where killings related to a marijuana growing operation occurred in Aguanga, California, in 2020. Authorities say they believe the killings were a targeted incident.
A makeshift greenhouse behind a home where killings related to a marijuana growing operation occurred in Aguanga, California, in 2020. Authorities say they believe the killings were a targeted incident.
Elliot Spagat/AP Photo
Why It Matters
California’s legalization of recreational marijuana in 2018 aimed to dismantle the illegal market, yet high taxes and regulatory hurdles have allowed black-market operations to thrive. The Aguanga killings underscore the dangers associated with these unregulated enterprises, which often attract violence and criminal exploitation.
This case also highlights the vulnerabilities faced by marginalized communities involved in illegal agriculture. The deliberate nature of the attack points to organized crime’s role in the black market, raising questions about law enforcement’s capacity to manage the repercussions of California’s marijuana policies.
What to Know
The victims were killed on a rural property in September 2020. Authorities believe gang members orchestrated the attack, using a dark-colored SUV during the incident. Over 1,000 marijuana plants and processed cannabis were discovered at the scene, revealing the scale of the illegal operation.
California’s Marijuana Black Market
Despite legalization, California’s illegal marijuana market persists due to the high costs of compliance with state regulations. Unlicensed operations like the one in Aguanga pose risks not only to public safety but also to the communities they exploit.
Gang Connections
Authorities suspect that gang members targeted the victims in a calculated act of violence. The killings are part of a broader pattern of crime linked to unregulated cannabis farming in rural areas.
The house where killings occurred related to a Marijuana growing operation in Aguanga ,California, on September 8, 2020. Authorities say they identified an SUV possibly used during the killings.
The house where killings occurred related to a Marijuana growing operation in Aguanga ,California, on September 8, 2020. Authorities say they identified an SUV possibly used during the killings.
Elliot Spagat/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
United Cannabis Business Association President Jerred Kiloh: “This risk is inherent in the underground market.”
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, in a statement: “The killings were a targeted incident.”
What Happens Next
Law enforcement plans to provide updates at a news conference, where they will discuss the status of the investigation and efforts to combat illegal marijuana farming. Authorities continue to pursue leads to identify the perpetrators and address the broader implications of unregulated cannabis markets.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
“}]] Authorities said they believe the killings were a targeted incident and plan to discuss the investigation at a news conference. Read More
