California’s tax agency has seized more than $168 million worth of illicit cannabis and tobacco products since 2019, including nearly $22 million during the first half of 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the figures Thursday, highlighting the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration’s role in investigating tax evasion and removing illegal products from retail businesses. The announcement comes after California awarded $227 million in grants to local governments in June to combat illicit cannabis activity and strengthen coordinated enforcement. The task force includes the Department of Cannabis Control, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Highway Patrol, Department of Justice and the tax department. Inspectors conducted 23,174 site visits and removed 7,403 illegal products from store shelves.