51 Comments
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Polly Frost's avatar

Thank you, Andy. I'm appalled by people I know - intelligent, educated people - who are falling for the Carbajal propaganda about ICE. I honestly believe these people have the best intentions. Carbajal is using kindness in people to enable a sinister operation, one that has harmed immigrants as well as American citizens, and which will have long lasting effects, none good. The question is: how do we wake these people up to the evil they're supporting?

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Earl Brown's avatar

Right on Pol-Pol.

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Polly Frost's avatar

Thank you, Mr. Brown. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

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elcx's avatar

How symbolic if the raid on "Glass House" may lead to far greater transparency about this entire underground trafficking industry. Which in turn may also bust open what is really going on with the the proliferation of out of town, unpermiitted street corner "fruit sellers", invading even residential neighborhoods. What else are/were they selling?

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Howard Walther's avatar

I read this article titled "Local Politicians Ignore Ugly Underbelly of the Pot Business"

by Andy Caldwell. Of course I have a supporting title to Mr. Caldwell well-written article

"The FBI Does Not Ignore the SB-So-Called Leaders Concealment of the Black-Market-Pot Trade" I quote from Mr. Caldwells Article "As the saying goes, our elected officials are entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts. ... District Attorney John Savrnoch, to name just a few, has expressed outlandish and irresponsible rhetorical outrage at the ICE investigation involving Glass House Brands pot operations in Carpinteria and Camarillo."

The law requires security video systems installed in all Pot Farms. Who installs that Video Systems here in SB? I will give you one Quess. Where does that Video Feed Go? To-The-Cloud.

And WHO has 24-7 access to that Video Feed to see if any Pot Farm is not accounting for their Hidden Pot Shipments, and the taxes thereof, Out the Back Door that is ALL CASH? Can we all say Money Laundering into SB Banks. Now this gets real interesting Folks who are the Cash-Pot-Mules laundering Pot Farms Black-Market-Money by cash deposit into SB Banks, all when the SB DA is PONTIFICATING about the poor "ILLELGAL ALIENS" working at the BIG Pot-Farms.

https://www.independent.com/2025/07/11/santa-barbara-da-denounces-ice-raid-in-carpinteria/

"‘These Actions Should Anger and Scare Everyone Who Believes In Justice and the Principals That This Great Nation Was Founded Upon,’ Says DA John Savrnoch"

Time for YOU MR SAVRNOCH to PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

Did your DA'S office have Fraudulent Russian-USSR Documents in your DA'S Possession?

That involves the NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES?

Do I actually have to POST THE FRAUDUENT USSR DOCUMENTS MR. SAVRNOCH?

Does it involve MONEY LAUNDERING MR. SAVRNOCH?

You Know that I have them ALL. Does SOMEONE Care to Respond?

This Town of Santa Barbara is full of Hypocrites, Concealers and Liars.

And may God Help Us on this Sunday.

Because the SB So-Called Leaders certainty will not.

Howard Walther, Member of a Military Family

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GM's avatar
Jul 20Edited

It just dawned on me that all these politicians screaming foul,do not want the system fixed. It's too profitable for them in votes, Congressional districts,trafficking human and drug.

Most of all it keeps their slave mentality in tact, which is something that the truly desire.

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Steve Cook's avatar

Great explanation of the downside of officials simultaneously sticking their heads in the sand while espousing violence and ignoring the realities of their policies.

It’s time for change. Vote these bums out!

Sign the petition for voter ID in California - reduce the potential for fraud in our elections.

https://www.reformcalifornia.org/campaigns/election-integrity-initiative

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Kim Seefeld's avatar

Excellent article and accurate recap of recent events regarding the lawful service of warrants by ICE at Glass House operations in Carpinteria and Camarillo. The performance of our local officials from City Councils, to Supervisors, to Congressman, to District Attorney relating to these events is shameful. So much for honoring their oaths of office, respect for and enforcement of the law. Where were all these paragons of virtue when the Biden Admin flooded the country with millions of illegal aliens taking up legal American residents jobs, housing, flooding hospitals and schools , taking billions of dollars of taxpayer funded benefits ? Excuse me if I am unsympathetic to those who ignore our nation’s sovereignty and laws for their personal convenience and benefit .

It is time for all these officials to work together with Congress to formulate a good seasonal worker visa ( not to include their whole families and distant relatives) , ; revised amnesty policy( request and determination in first country legally entered upon departure from home country) ; industry related visas ; restriction of the use of taxpayer funds for legal residents. How about they respect our laws , those who work to enforce them or work to change the laws?

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Bernard Gans's avatar

For me, the overriding concern is the growing control that the cartels will have on our elected officials, our government administrators, our citizens, and our society. If someone is not concerned, they have not been paying attention to what has been happening to Mexico.

Berney

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DLDawson's avatar

Spot on Berney, all valid concerns, the swamp runs deep. Methinks Trump has the goods on ALL bad actors (Worldwide), but full disclosure would result in WW chaos…so, instead, leverage is being applied to surgically dismantle the (WW) Deep State…

https://x.com/boonecutler/status/1896230500513034326?s=61

https://x.com/boonecutler/status/1946610515880366511?s=61

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGP-AqHTKqI

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Brent's Journal's avatar

Thanks Andy for a well organized discussion. I am beginning to think that dealing with crime in California is like trying to squeeze the last out of a tube of toothpaste. Where ever you squeeze the paste just moves to another place inside the tube. Law enforcement says it will arrest those who break certain federal laws it agrees with, but this does not include those returning after being deported. Law enforcement will not arrest those who attack federal agents. Even if law enforcement arrests some violators of state laws, some prosecutors will not prosecute and/or some judges let them out pending trial. Even they are convicted, judges still let them walk the streets. Politicians support all of these actions as does much of the local news sources. Andy's article provides examples of all of these actions. Have you read about any state/local investigations of Glass House?

Want a test case? Watch to see what actions, if any, are taken towards the Glass House.

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elcx's avatar

The total cone of silence from Glass House Farms itself, has been the dog who is not barking. In my continued triteness expressing my own reactions to this very curious, tip of the iceberg, event illustrates everything that has gone wrong in this state, and now locally as well. Including the very alive and well cancel-culture now out in full force against anyone who supports continued lawful DHS enforcement actions.

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Steve Cook's avatar

Something you didn't touch on, but it speaks to the dark side of enjoying the benefits of illicit commerce while ignoring the human, environmental ,and economic realities: Mexican avocados.

I don't see our elected officials, Carbahal among them, standing up and speaking out against the Mexican avocado "industry." I don't see local Santa Barbarians standing up and speaking out agains this "industry", or against child trafficking, against releasing criminals onto the streets to rape, murder, drink and drive, sell drugs.... Something smells in Santa Barbara, perhaps its time the self-righteous people to wake up and look in the mirror. Perhaps its time for them to stop looking for cheap labor which inundates the social, medical, schools, and housing components because employers (the self-righteous included) don't pay the full burden of cheap labor.

https://latinamericanpost.com/americas/politics/the-avocado-mafias-grip-on-mexicos-lucrative-industry/

https://cri.org/reports/unholy-guacamole/

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elcx's avatar

Lemon groves in this greater area of primarily citrus production are currently getting torn out and replaced with avocado groves. Which means a several year lag time before their actual crop production, but does reflect the increasing global appetite for avocados. However, since avocados are a seasonal crop, there does need to be diversity in harvesting locations around the world in order to create a year round supply.

I am reminded back in the 1960's while living temporarily in Ohio, some new friends invited us for dinner and wanted to serve something we wayward Californians would enjoy. So she chopped up an avocado to put in the salad.

However, it was unripe and hard as a rock, because as a midwesterner she had never seen an avocado in her life before. But she knew it was something we Californians would appreciate. She also had to confess she did not understand what the fuss about them was all about.

That was the 1960's, who knew then avocados would later reach global super-food status. But no true Californian even back then did not have their own home recipe for killer guacamole. And also knew that magical moment when that hard rock finally transformed into its perfect velvet texture.

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Earl Brown's avatar

JL - don't forget about tomatos from Mexico, drenched in pesticides. Those farmers are not very concerned about natural farming.

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jessica brown's avatar

Thank you once again for giving us all facts to discuss with the progressive ill informed , although well meaning left.if I may, I would like to share a personal story, I voted for legalization of marijana(whoops). My reasoning was crime would stop like after stopping prohibition. wrong!it just brought crime to our doorstep and it gave to our children the idea drugs were ok. I have lost my niece to drug over dose. If only I could turn back time.

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Howard Walther's avatar

No Jessice you have almost NO FACTS ON THE EVIL that is GOING DOWN

in this Lil Ole Beach Town. See my post above for the Dereliction of Duty of

the entire SB So-Called-Leaders.

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elcx's avatar

Perhaps is it time to finally put up or shut up, HW.

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Earl Brown's avatar

I'm with you kiddo.

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Howard Walther's avatar

Mr. Livingston I presume .... check Out My Post today>

Time for the ENTIRE SANTA BARBARA LEADERS TO

PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

For your reading pleasure this Sunday>

https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence

And Bill Evanina former head of Counter Intelligence at DNI

for your Happy Sunday Viewing pleasure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9oFG8MjF6M&t=4675s&ab_channel=TheTeamHouse

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Michael Self's avatar

Isn’t growing and selling marijuana illegal Federally?

Locally Das Williams was the pot growers biggest supporter. They were his biggest financial backers.

I don’t understand why it’s allowed at all.

George Soros spent untold millions getting it legalized in individual states.

Corrupting our citizens serves a purpose for those dedicated to destroying our country.

We have elected people who incite violence, don’t respect the rule of law and spend taxpayer dollars for these ends.

Sad to watch.

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Emmett's avatar

Every local news outlet does not care about the children rescued or the rule of law. Except the Current.

The cattle, the evil ignorant pigs of this town and county disregard the children and the rule of law.

SB has been turning into a cesspool for decades.

Side note after traveling to several other states and towns in CA this Summer you realize how dirty SB is. Between the zombie homeless roaming everywhere to the lack of any decent, clean, brick and mortar shopping. Soon a story will be released about a local business owner who was screwed by our City when they required her to move so they could perform bridge work over the creek. It will be yet another lawsuit against our inept, dirty, incompetent government.

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GM's avatar

Thank you Andy for this great article.

I am also appalled at the behavior of our local leaders.

For engaging in the riot,for their continued immature behavior,for spreading fear and hate in the community and last but not least for not even having one ounce of concern that children were being trafficked and used to work illegally on the Farm. Those same children were working along side of a convicted rapist.

In addition I appreciate the information on all the activities of Glass House Farms. My understanding is that the raid was due to a current lawsuit from an ex employee on illegal labor practices. The Federal agents had 2 warrants signed of by a judge. Everything done by the book and nothing illegal and if Carbajal would of respected our laws and obtained that information,he should report that to his constituents but he's not. Instead hes starting a race war and spreading falsehoods.

As I was searching for information about Glass House,I came across the picture of the local school leaders,wearing Glass House merchandise,standing in front of the farm and all smiles as they were given 200k to support a counselor at the Middle School. Were they aware there were children working in the farms before accepting this bribe?

Maybe that information will all come out during the investigation, including our own Governor who seems to be invested financially in this Farm.

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Pat Fish's avatar

Just a note to tie the marijuana to avocados. Lawsuits were brought by pot people to forbid the historic avocado ranches from aerial praying for thrips as they have done for decades. If ANY of the pesticide gets into the vents on the marijuana glass houses the product cannot be sold legally. An extremely strict inspection process declares the crop pure. But now, I wonder, what about all the tear gas sprayed on the 500+ protesters called out to block the ICE raid? Will that crop now be diverted to the black market? And, asking for a friend, why isn't the owner of the Glass Houses in jail pending legal action for basing his work force on cartel slaves? How much will it cost him to buy all the necessary politicians to continue with business as usual?

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Cate wilkins's avatar

MISSING: A flood of defense for federal law enforcement (ICE/DEA).g The federal government’s intervention at Glass House uncovered far more than the mission. A US congressional rep incited violence AGAINST this federal warrant and police to recover underaged minors and apprehend convicted illegal criminals. WHY?

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GM's avatar

For one they love the Political Theater. To get in the spotlight and show you care so as not to lose the votes in the future.

He should have respected Federal employees as he is a Federal Rep.

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Emmett's avatar

24 hours after the raids, after DHS publicly announced rescuing undocumented, unaccompanied minors our DA admonished the legal warrants signed by judges and made no mention of the children.

Our DA opposed judge signed warrants.

Our DA who publicly advocates for trafficked children & women slammed the federal authorities that rescued 14 children.

Disgusting! He apparently does not value the rule of law or the safety of children.

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Howard Walther's avatar

Emmett read my post above, no leaders in SB Care About the Children

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Emmett's avatar

It’s truly disappointing the DA, who speaks at trafficked children & women charity events does not actually care about the children.

We know several people at the head of dime children charities which are not, well I wouldn’t leave my child alone with them. But the DA, head law & order of SB to appear to ignore the rule of law and encourage others to not agree with legal judicial orders. Well that says a lot about this town.

Not to mention the pigs, the minions, parroting the evil.

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Howard Walther's avatar

It's much worse than you can imagine. I have a case where the DA concealed Child Abuse. If you know old DA employees who are willing to talk you are going to be shocked at the utter Evil.

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