LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom’s newly established Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force carried out its first significant seizure, confiscating 2.2 million illegal cannabis packages. 

The illicit products were marketed as popular children’s candy, including Sweet Tarts, sour gummies, and Confetti Twinkies.

Tamma Adamek, Spokesperson for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) said,  

“It was a lot; it filled six box trucks,” said Tamma Adamek, spokesperson for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). “We had to take it to a warehouse—it was big.”

The operation targeted 11 businesses in the Toy District of Downtown Los Angeles. All seized packages bore the official state logo, a symbol legally reserved for products from licensed businesses regulated by the Department of Cannabis Control. 

Selling packaging with this logo without proper licensing is a violation of state law.

“What we know has been happening is these businesses are manufacturing or importing this packaging,” Adamek said. “And they’re selling it to the illicit market. Illicit cannabis dealers are then putting their product in it and selling it.”

Using the state logo on unlicensed products poses a significant risk to consumers, who may mistakenly believe state authorities have vetted the products.

“Consumers think it’s real,” Adamek warned. “They think it’s been vetted by the state. And that’s what’s so frightening about this—no, this is dirty, buggy, untested cannabis products going in here. That’s why we cracked down on the packaging.”

Authorities advise consumers to purchase cannabis products only from reputable, licensed vendors to ensure product safety and compliance with state regulations.

Visalia, California — For Catholics in Central California, bigger means better — and St. Charles Borromeo Church feels heaven-sent. The largest Catholic parish church in North America has 3,200 seats, sprawls nearly an acre and cost $21 million to build.

“This is a Catholic megachurch,” said Bishop Joseph Brennan, who leads the Diocese of Fresno.

Father Alex Chavez, a pastor at the church, is still struck by its massive scale. And as big as it is, it could be even bigger.

“There’s room for growth. I could always add masses,” Chavez said.

The Catholic Church is facing a labor crisis decades in the making. Over a half-century, the average size of a parish increased by 60%, while the number of priests dropped by 40%, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

“It’s huge, and it’s really across the board,” Brennan said. “It’s complicated, but there are all kinds of issues.”

Among them are inadequate recruiting of young men, societal issues including materialism and career success, family issues such as broken homes and the legacy of the church’s sex abuse scandals, according to Vocation Ministry.

The Fresno Diocese recently ordained six new priests — their most since 1968. But Brennan says he could use 25 every year.

“I think nowadays, especially for my generation, commitment’s a strong word,” said Jimmy Millan, one of the new priests at St. Charles Borromeo.

Joseph Klinge, another newly ordained priest, says the Catholic Church’s history of sexual abuse have marred the image of the priesthood.

“I’ve had people call me a pedophile, just for wanting to become a priest. There’s wounds or scars, because that’s a horrible thing,” Klinge said.

Still, the new priests are hopeful things could turn around.

Until it does, this megachurch merges four parishes into one behemoth. Across three Sunday masses, 8,000 parishioners in total fill the pews.

“We’re responding to a very real need. So Jesus would walk through the door and say, ‘Well it’s not what I had in mind, but way to go, guys. It’s a creative approach.’”

Financial expert Robert Kiyosaki is predicting a grim fate for the country’s Golden State.

The Rich Dad Company co-founder warned that California is “going bust” amid poor financial management and fleeing residents during his appearance on “The Big Money Show” on Monday.

Kiyosaki, who predicted the 2008 Lehman Brothers collapse, said that California is the “lead state” and could potentially bring down other states who follow its progressive agenda.

CHEVRON RELOCATING HEADQUARTERS FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS

The financial expert’s comments echo his criticism he posted about the state on “X” in July.  

Kiyosaki told users that “California is a BELL-Weather state. That means what happens in California happens to the rest of the US.”

“California will begin raising taxes and cutting subsidies to the poor, to prisons, environmental problems, and teachers unions. That means crime will spread as police will be cut. Since California is a Bell Weather state and is going broke, which states will follow?” he wrote in the post.

Kiyosaki admitted to moving away from the state and asked users whether it was time for them to move as well.

ELON MUSK ANNOUNCES X, SPACEX HQS WILL MOVE FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS AFTER NEW GENDER IDENTITY LAW

Earlier this year, more than 86% of business owners in California said that crime has increased in their area, while 67% from the same survey claimed to be considering moving their headquarters out of the Golden State, according to RedBalloon and PublicSq.’s February Freedom Economy Index.

“You know, I think it’s interesting that one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time, Elon Musk, is leaving. What does that tell you?” he asked.

The tech pioneer announced that SpaceX and X’s headquarters would move to Texas, citing California’s laws that attack “both families and companies” as the “final straw” in a post on “X.” 

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FOX Business’ Kristen Altus and Joshua Nelson contributed to this report