Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) said eight people were arrested and more than 20,000 cannabis plants were eradicated in raids targeting illegal growing operations on public lands across the state.

On Tuesday, CDFW announced results of the operation by the department's Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET).

In July and August, officers raided six sites hidden within sensitive habitats and watersheds. Additional officers from the CDFW Cannabis Enforcement Program, local agencies and the U.S. Forest Service were also involved in the raids.

The agency said the raids were prompted by reports from the public, which included a hunter scouting for deer in one of the cases.

Lands where the grows were located included Forest Service property, land owned by munic

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