Federal Drug Bust Shakes Thermal Community: DEA Targets Illegal Marijuana Grows on Tribal Land

A major federal drug bust unfolded Thursday in the East Coachella Valley, where U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials led a multi-agency operation targeting illegal marijuana grow sites near Thermal. The raid began shortly before noon off Highway 86, involving dozens of military police vehicles, unmarked cars, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection units.

The site under investigation is reportedly located on land belonging to the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. The DEA confirmed the mission was not related to immigration enforcement but part of a large-scale investigation on marijuana grow in the area. A local witness that spoke to NBC Palm Springs tell us, they believe up to 19 individuals may have been detained, although that number remains unconfirmed. The presence of military vehicles and armed federal agents raised alarm across the community. Congressman Raul Ruiz addressed public concern, stating, "What's scary about this is that you see this caravan of militarized vehicles and the community is in terror. They're in trauma. You have people who see that ICE is militarized and so they're afraid." Ruiz added that his team worked with immigration rights groups on-site to help clarify the nature of the raid.

As of Thursday evening, a handful of military vehicles remained stationed near the grow site, while others were seen along Highway 86. The DEA has not disclosed which additional federal agencies participated, nor the full scope of the operation.

Updates are expected as authorities complete their investigation.