Yuba City Police Seize Over 1,700 Marijuana Plants in Illegal Grow Bust

Two Yuba City residents cited and released on suspicion of illegal cultivation

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Yuba City police officers executed a search warrant at a home on Butte House Road and discovered a large-scale illegal indoor marijuana grow operation, seizing 1,725 marijuana plants with a net weight of 640 pounds. Two Yuba City residents, Aiyung Hu and Wenhua Xiao, were cited and released on suspicion of illegal cultivation.

Why it matters

The seizure of this large illegal grow operation highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts to crack down on unlicensed marijuana cultivation in California, even as the state has legalized recreational cannabis. Illegal grows can pose public safety risks and undermine the regulated cannabis industry.

The details

Police received complaints about the illegal grow operation and executed a search warrant, discovering the complex grow spread across three separate shops at the home. Officers seized a total of 1,725 marijuana plants weighing 640 pounds.

  • On February 18, 2026, Yuba City police served a search warrant at the home on Butte House Road.

The players

Yuba City Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that executed the search warrant and seized the illegal marijuana grow operation.

Aiyung Hu

A 59-year-old Yuba City resident who was cited and released on suspicion of illegal marijuana cultivation.

Wenhua Xiao

A 59-year-old Yuba City resident who was cited and released on suspicion of illegal marijuana cultivation.

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What’s next

The Yuba City Police Department will continue to investigate the illegal grow operation and may pursue further charges against Hu and Xiao.

The takeaway

This bust demonstrates that law enforcement remains vigilant in targeting unlicensed marijuana cultivation, even as California has legalized recreational cannabis. Illegal grows can pose public safety risks and undermine the regulated cannabis industry.