| Nature of Incident: |
Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation |
| Report Number: |
21-53211 |
| Location: |
999 Tierra Rejada Road Moorpark
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| Date & Time: |
April 28, 2021 @ 10:00 AM |
| Unit(s) Responsible: |
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team
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| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence
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Age |
(S) Oscar Gonzalez
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Bakersfield
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25
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Narrative:
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Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team received information about a marijuana grow in the 900 block of East Tierra Rejada Road in unincorporated area between Simi Valley and Moorpark. During this investigation, detectives confirmed an active marijuana grow was unlicensed and illegal.
On April 28, 2021, Detectives executed a search warrant at the location. Oscar Gonzalez, a resident of Bakersfield, was arrested on the property. Gonzalez was cultivating the marijuana and tending to the plants. Two other subjects fled the area and avoided apprehension. During the search, detectives discovered an elaborate marijuana grow operation which consisted of several green houses, an irrigation system, and power generators.
In total, Detectives seized approximately 2100 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. The estimated monetary yield for the seized marijuana is approximately 3.5 million dollars. Detectives harvested the marijuana crop and destroyed the plants in a legally approved manner. Based on the investigation, Oscar Gonzales was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on various narcotics charges. His bail was set at $20,000 and he is awaiting court proceedings.
Unregulated and illegal marijuana grow operations are dangerous to the end users and the environment. Often, banned pesticides and fertilizers are used to maximize plant growth and THC content. These pesticides and fertilizers are poisonous and can lead to health problems for humans or wild animals and contaminate the ground. The Sheriff’s Office routinely works with other local and state government agencies to during these investigations and to ensure that the property is cleaned up and hazards are mitigated.
The Ventura Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating reports of illegal marijuana grows throughout the county. Residents are encouraged to report suspected illegal marijuana cultivation sites, greenhouse grows, warehouse indoor grows, and grows on local, state, or Federal land. Residents should not enter grow sites due to a variety of risks including possibly armed grower site operators. Information can be reported to Ventura County Crime Stoppers or the Sheriff’s Narcotics Office at 805-383-8700.
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| Prepared by: |
Sergeant Odilon Malagon |
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| News Release Date: |
4/30/2021 |
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| Media Follow-Up Contact: |
Detective Jacob Holt
805-383-8728
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Approved by:
Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Brian Slominski
YES NO |
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