Recent arrests made of four suspects in connection with the theft by an American company of CBD hemp oil containing thousands of litres.
The 2nd Century Ag warehouse, located in Irwin County and valued at USD 3,600,000.
A rental truck used to commit the crime was found during an investigation conducted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Texas Rangers, and Texas Department of Public Safety. The truck was rented out in Atlanta, Georgia but the individuals who rented it lived in Houston, Texas. The CBD oil was transported to another county where it was transferred to another truck. The investigation revealed that two more suspects are believed to be key players in the burglary.
Total of four suspects have been extradited from Georgia. They are charged with various felonies. Now, the suspects await trial.
“In Georgia we are sending a clear message, if you attempt to use agriculture as a cover for criminal activity – we will catch you and you will go to prison,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper
This is probably one of the biggest hemp thefts in recorded history, according to GDA.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division conducts investigations into issues such as animal cruelty, labour violations, drugs trafficking and agroterrorism. GDA regulates hemp cultivation, processing, manufacture, and sales in Georgia.
Second Century is Georgia’s largest CBD producer. According to the company, its facility is the first closed loop ethanol extraction in Georgia. The firm’s process uses ‘naturally sourced’ solvents to preserve optimal cannabinoid and terpene percentages in its CBD oils. Formerly a textile factory, the firm’s facility was the first CBD manufacturing facility to open in New York State in 2020.
Georgia’s industrial hemp was estimated at more than $2 billion dollars in 2023. The industry supported thousands of job opportunities and produced significant tax revenues for the state. Georgia’s recent attempt to pass legislation banning intoxicating hemp-based products failed, giving hemp companies in the state an extra year.