On July 26, 2019, peace officers of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, East Area Substations Division, and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife executed search warrants at the following illegal marijuana dispensaries:
1315 Rosamond Blvd (Organic Health Solutions)
1737 Locust St Unit C-1 (American Original Collective-AOC)
1739 Poplar St (Lights Out Wellness)
These marijuana dispensaries were not licensed under the State or California or the County of Kern. County of Kern Ordinance 19.08.055 prohibits marijuana dispensary operation within any zone districts in the unincorporated areas of the County of Kern. All dispensaries were served with orders to cease and desist operations by May 24, 2019.
The following evidence was seized from the investigation:
-Over 99 pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated street value of approximately $450,000.00.
-Over 8,495 grams of marijuana concentrates with an estimated street value of approximately $340,000.00.
-Over 483 packages of edible marijuana products with an estimated street value of approximately $5,000.00.
-One handgun and one collapsible baton.
These estimates were obtained using average prices of the various products being sold at the dispensaries. It is common for the products at illegal dispensaries to be supplied by growers who use harmful and poisonous chemicals in the growing of the marijuana. Many of these products are grown illicitly under substandard conditions, with little to no quality control for health standards.
32-year-old Shane Degroff, 27-year-old Leah Modell, and 25-year-old Katherine Gaspar were arrested for maintaining a business for the purposes of sales, illegal sales of marijuana, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
27-year-old Marvin Munoz and 20-year-old Aurora Ramirez were arrested for the illegal sales of marijuana.
27-year-old Cody Biggs was arrested for the illegal sales and transportation of marijuana.
39-year-old Devonte Lisk was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm, a baton, ammunition, and pepper spray.
All of the individuals were either issued a citation in the field, or arrested and booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Jail pending court proceedings.
