Four suspects were recently arrested in relation to the theft of thousands of litres of hemp-derived CBD oil from a company in the US state of Georgia.
In January this year, 3,000 litres of CBD distillate were stolen from the 2nd Century Ag warehouse in Irwin County, with an estimated value of USD $3,600,000.
An investigation by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) supported by the Texas Rangers and Texas Department of Public Safety found a rental truck was used in the commission of the crime. While the truck had been rented in Atlanta, Georgia, the two individuals renting it resided in Houston, Texas. The CBD oil was transported to another county where it was transferred to another truck. Further investigation revealed two additional suspects who were allegedly key in organising the burglary.
A total of four suspects were extradited to Georgia and charged with various felonies. The suspects are now awaiting 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
The GDA says this is likely one of the largest hemp-related theft cases on record.
Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division investigates issues including animal cruelty, labor violations, drug trafficking, and agro-terrorism. The GDA also regulates the growing, processing, manufacturing, and sale of industrial and consumable hemp in the state.
Second Century claims to be Georgia’s largest CBD processor. The company says its processing facility was the first closed-loop ethanol extraction operation established in the state. The firm’s process uses ‘naturally sourced’ solvents to preserve optimal cannabinoid and terpene percentages in its CBD oils. The firm’s facility, formerly a textile mill, was also the first CBD oil manufacturing facility in the state and opened in 2020.
Georgia’s hemp industry was valued at over $2 billion in 2023, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant tax revenue for the state. A recent legislative effort in Georgia to ban intoxicating hemp products stalled, providing hemp businesses in the state a one-year reprieve.
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