Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On July 21, 2010, members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau, West County Street Team, completed a two-month investigation into outdoor marijuana gardens along the Highway 33 corridor north of Ojai. Narcotics detectives identified several large gardens through aerial flights, and reports by responsible citizens.
The surveillance of these sites resulted in the arrest of eleven individuals and the seizure of approximately 23,476 marijuana plants, bringing the years’ total to 70,173. Two subjects were armed at the time of their arrest.

The gardens were located anywhere from a few hundred yards to several miles off the roadway, and often near popular hiking and recreation areas. In order to grow these marijuana plants, it is necessary for the growers to undercut the brush and trim back the overhead canopy to allow sufficient sunlight to get to the plants. The hillsides are terraced to allow for more plants, and as an easier way for the growers to water and fertilize them. Miles of irrigation pipe run from dammed streams or springs to provide water. These gardens wreak havoc on the environment and take years to recover. We have seen old grow sites that are known to be nearly twenty years old that have not fully recovered. Each garden held at least one campsite. Each campsite typically contains clothing, food, sleeping bags, propane stoves, fuel, and miscellaneous chemical fertilizers and poisons that are often illegal in this country. The use of these chemicals and destruction to the environment cause immeasurable damage to the deer, bear, rabbits, and other small animals in these areas.

The Sheriff’s Department warns those planning on visiting the Los Padres National Forest to be watchful for these illegal marijuana gardens. If you find yourself in a garden, quietly and quickly back out and call law enforcement as soon as possible. Growers are often armed and are protective of their gardens.

Location:
Highway 33 corridor above Ojai
Date & Time:
July 22, 2010
Unit Responsible:
Ventura County Narcotics Bureau, West County Street Team
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of residence Age
Santos Enceso Fresno 43
Rosalio Mendoza Fresno 47
Jorge Cabrera Fresno 29
Jaime Flores Los Angeles 36
Jorge Talavera Bakersfield 47
Antonio Medina Bakersfield 42
Gustavo Estrella Port Hueneme 27
Enrique Ramos Port Hueneme 43
Jose Hernandez Camarillo 25
Arturo Hernandez Camarillo 20
Juvenile Bakersfield 17

Officer Preparing Release:
Sgt Mike Horne
Follow-up Contact:
Sgt Mike Horne (805)-383-8700
Approved by:
Captain Dave Murray
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).