Police seized thousands of THC vape cartridges from an El Monte warehouse Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

After receiving an anonymous tip, officers obtained a search warrant and raided a warehouse in the 9600 block of Telstar Avenue at about 4 p.m., said El Monte Police Chief David Reynoso. Nobody was inside, but police found thousands of vape cartridges and the ingredients to make thousands more.

The sale, manufacturing, and cultivation of cannabis products remain illegal in the city of El Monte.

Police called a county hazardous materials team to handle the inspection and removal of the chemical items, said El Monte police Lt. Christopher Cano.

The cartridges full of THC oil, Cano said, appear to have been intended to be attached to vape pens for consumption.

Officers began to investigate who was responsible for running the illegal operation.

Thursday’s raid comes at a time when county, state and federal officials have cautioned against the use of vape pens.

El Monte police officers on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, raided a warehouse where thousands of THC vape cartridges were illegally manufactured. Officers also found chemicals and other supplies intended to manufacture thousands more. (Courtesy of El Monte Police Department)

El Monte police officers on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, raided a warehouse where thousands of THC vape cartridges were illegally manufactured. Officers also found chemicals and other supplies intended to manufacture thousands more. (Courtesy of El Monte Police Department)

Sound The gallery will resume in seconds

El Monte police officers on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, raided a warehouse where thousands of THC vape cartridges were illegally manufactured. Officers also found chemicals and other supplies intended to manufacture thousands more. (Courtesy of El Monte Police Department)

El Monte police officers on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, raided a warehouse where thousands of THC vape cartridges were illegally manufactured. Officers also found chemicals and other supplies intended to manufacture thousands more. (Courtesy of El Monte Police Department)

El Monte police officers on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, raided a warehouse where thousands of THC vape cartridges were illegally manufactured. Officers also found chemicals and other supplies intended to manufacture thousands more. (Courtesy of El Monte Police Department)



El Monte police officers on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, raided a warehouse where thousands of THC vape cartridges were illegally manufactured. Officers also found chemicals and other supplies intended to manufacture thousands more. (Courtesy of El Monte Police Department)

El Monte police officers on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, raided a warehouse where thousands of THC vape cartridges were illegally manufactured. Officers also found chemicals and other supplies intended to manufacture thousands more. (Courtesy of El Monte Police Department)

In California, 99 people who have a history of vaping were hospitalized for severe breathing problems and lung damage since June, said the state’s Department of Public Health. Two people in the state have died in these cases, including one person in Los Angeles County earlier this month.

Across the U.S., there are over 500 reports of lung damage associated with vaping across 38 states and one U.S. territory, the health department said.

Both county and state health officials have urged the public to stop vaping until the vape-related cases were fully investigated.

The common link between many of the cases is the inhalation of the cannabis products THC and CBD in cartridges, waxes, oils, and other forms, the health department said.

While it remains unknown whether these products were obtained illegally, the state warned of illicit products, which are not held to the same inspections as legally manufactured products.

It is this gap in regulation between legal and illegal products that have always held the attention of local law enforcement.

“What they think they’re buying may not be what they’re buying, and could be detrimental to their health, and could be loaded with chemicals that could harm them or kill them,” Cano said.

Reynoso said he could not comment on the recent warnings from public health officials, but called unregulated cannabis operations a public safety hazard.

He said raids like Thursday’s have been common with his department’s special enforcement team conducting at least one raid of illegal cannabis operations in El Monte each month.

“I urge the public to continue to report these illegal operations,” he said.

Staff writer Bradley Bermont contributed to this report.