CA - 7 people fatally shot at illegal marijuana operation in Riverside County, 7 Sept 2020

[JudgeJoe]

These murders could certainly be gang related. However, there is plenty of motivation for small legal growers, reeling from the expense of CA regulation (permits, licensing, inspections, fines), to eliminate competition too. They’re getting creamed by both megafarms & illegal growers.
Marijuana has become big business. So why are small growers struggling to survive?

https://static.cdfa.ca.gov/MCCP/document/Fact Sheet--Highlights of New Regulations_2.8.19.pdf

Violence is increasing in states regulating this particular crop. Not an issue with corn & tomatoes...
“It turns out that legalization of marijuana doesn’t eliminate the illicit black market, but... increase competition among rival factions of black-market dealers. State regulation, taxes, cultivation, and supply chain logistics force prices much higher for legal pot than its illegal and unregulated competition. The illegal market persists... users aren’t inclined to pay premium prices... And any cop who has worked in narcotic enforcement will tell you that market force disruptions that increase competition often lead to increased violence among and between market participants.”
Is marijuana legalization driving increases in violent crime?
Either way, I hope LE is able to find the shooters- for justice, but also for the safety of the entire community.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Investigators believe the suspects were gang members of Laotian descent from the San Diego area. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said the agency faces a “major obstacle” obtaining information because at least some witnesses and victims entered the U.S. illegally and may have been victims of human trafficking.

Migrants who were working at the farm may fear retribution and distrust law enforcement, Bianco said. Many are from countries where law enforcement is “corrupt and further victimize the victims,” he added.

“When these immigrants come to our country, that fear of law enforcement makes them easy targets of crime because the suspects know that the victims will be reluctant to cooperate with the criminal investigation, or they may not report the crime at all. This case has been an example of that,” Bianco said

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/ap-authorities-suspect-gang-members-involved-in-7-killings-at-marijuana-grow/

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Bianco said roughly 20 people had been residing at the illegal site.

During Friday's press conference, Bianco said investigators identified three people of interest tied to a Laotian criminal street gang out of San Diego.

2020 mass murder in Riverside County may be tied to Laotian gang

All the victims were of Laotian descent and investigators believe they were victims of human trafficking.

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