Global Ganja Report

US citizen and Army veteran George Retes on July 16 spoke out after being arrested during an immigration raid at his workplace on a California cannabis farm, stating that he was detained for three days without explanation.

Retes stated in a video press conference organized by the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union that he works as a security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, Calif. He stated that he was on his way to work when he was stopped by federal agents. The officers then broke his car window, sprayed him with pepper-spray, and dragged him out of the vehicle. He said that two officers knelt on his back and another one on his neck to subdue him, even though his hands were already behind his back and he was covered in pepper spray.

Retes later explained that he showed up to work when federal agents had already conducted the raid and was met with a wall of protestors in addition to federal agents. He exited his car and told the officers that he was a US citizen and that he was only there to work and not to protest. He then re-entered the car, and the officers surrounded his car and gave conflicting orders to get out of the car, pull the car over to the side, and reverse the car before arresting him.

According to AP, "Retes was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where he said he was put in a special cell on suicide watch and checked on each day after he became emotionally distraught over his ordeal and missing his 3-year-old daughter's birthday party Saturday [July 12]."

Retes said that federal agents did not allow him to contact a lawyer or his family or to shower or change clothes during his three-day detention, despite being covered in pepper-spray and tear-gas.

The Department of Homeland Security's Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement on his detention and release. She said: "He has not been charged. The US Attorney’s Office is reviewing his case, along with dozens of others, for potential federal charges related to the execution of the federal search warrant in Camarillo."

On July 10, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers executed criminal warrant operations at two marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo. The US Department of Homeland Security stated that "at least 14 migrant children have been rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor and human trafficking. ICE has transferred 10 of the children who are unaccompanied to the US Department of Health and Human Services… Federal officers also arrested at least 361 illegal aliens from both sites."

The department added, "During the operation, more than 500 rioters attempted to disrupt operations."

Retes provided the following statement to UFW:

What happened to me wasn’t just a mistake—it was a violation of my civil rights. It was excessive force… I'm speaking out…for every citizen who could’ve ended up in my place that day. I’m calling for a full investigation into the actions of ICE and other agencies involved in this operation… [T]his raid didn't just target immigrants. It hurt Americans too. I will not stay silent. I served this country, and now I'm demanding it do right by me.

From JURIST, July 18. Used with permission,
 

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