Nearly two dozen people, most of whom are Alameda County residents, were recently arrested in a large-scale operation aimed at dismantling a statewide burglary ring that targeted marijuana dispensaries throughout California, according to state and local law enforcement officials.

The arrests concluded a months-long investigation into at least 15 burglaries across nine counties, spanning from the California-Mexico border to the coastal wine regions. The alleged burglars stole approximately 975 pounds of marijuana, causing an estimated $1 million in losses, as reported by the California Attorney General’s Office.

Oakland police investigators, along with members of the city’s Ceasefire program, played a crucial role in identifying the suspects and coordinating the arrests, said Deputy Chief Frederick Shavies of the Oakland Police Department.

“This operation has made not only Oakland but the entire state of California safer,” Shavies said during a press conference on Thursday.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao praised the arrests, emphasizing the city’s dedication to combating crime. She stated, “We are sending a strong message in Oakland: If you commit a crime, you may not be caught immediately, but we are working tirelessly to ensure justice is served.”

The investigation, which began in February, was launched just two months after undercover Oakland police officer Tuan Le was fatally shot while responding to a break-in at a marijuana grow house. This tragic event marked the first on-duty death of an Oakland police officer in about 15 years.

While some officers involved in the arrests also contributed to the ongoing investigation into Le’s death, Shavies noted that there is no indication of any connection between the two cases. Most of the suspects arrested in the sting are expected to be prosecuted by the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, as many of the burglaries occurred in that area.