Federal and local law enforcement officials raided medical marijuana operations in Montana this week as legislators debated a proposal aimed at repealing the law that legalized its use.

The state’s House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the repeal bill last month, but in a 6-to-6 vote, it failed to advance past a Senate committee.

What seemed like a small victory for advocates of medical marijuana was overshadowed by reports from growers that the authorities were sweeping down on their operations on Monday.

According to a statement from the United States attorney’s office in Montana, 26 criminal search warrants were executed in 13 communities as part of an investigation into marijuana distribution and trafficking.