2.2 million illegal cannabis packages mimicking junk food seized in California

A sting operation in California led to the seizure of more than 2.2 million illegal cannabis packages designed to mimic popular food and candy items, including Sweetarts and Twinkies.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office announced the massive seizure on Tuesday.

"California is committed to supporting our safe and legal cannabis market," Newsom said in a news release . "We will not tolerate criminal activity that undermines the legal market, especially when it puts children at risk. This successful operation in the Toy District reinforces our commitment and sends a clear warning to criminals choosing to operate outside the safer legal industry.”

The operation looked into 11 storefronts in Los Angeles' Toy District, where several businesses were manufacturing and selling bulk packaging used in the illegal cannabis market, Newsom's office said. The packaging was meant to "deceive customers and thwart state safety and quality regulations," according to the release.

Illegal cannabis packages had 'frightening veil of legitimacy'

The Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce ahead of operation seized exactly 2,279,900 illegal packages, according to Newsom's office. The task force also seized 31 banker-sized boxes and garbage bags filled with illegal cannabis and 32 boxes and bags of illicit cigarettes and tobacco products.

“This packaging provides a thin yet frightening veil of legitimacy for illicit operators,” Nick Maduros, director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, said in the release. “It violates the trust of California consumers who believe that the cannabis symbol signifies a certain product standard, and it enables illegal operators to circumvent tax and licensing requirements.”

Cannabis goods sold in California have to be labeled so customers know what they are buying to prevent unintended uses.

“Illegal packaging is dangerous to consumers, especially when it is ripping-off well-known brands that are attractive to children, and needs to be removed from the marketplace,” Nicole Elliott, director for the Department of Cannabis Control, said in the release.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2.2 million illegal cannabis packages mimicking junk food seized in California