On September 11th, 2023

State and Local Law Enforcement Officers Investigate Seven Suspected Illegal Marijuana Dispensaries in Kern County 17 arrested, seven dispensaries shut down  

“State and local law enforcement departments are teaming together to investigate suspected illegal marijuana dispensaries as a way to protect consumers, protect the public’s safety, protect legal and licensed operations, as well as detour any underground businesses that work against California’s economic future.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

KERN COUNTY - On September 6, 2023, at approximately 7:45 p.m., state and local law enforcement officers executed search warrants on seven suspected illegal marijuana dispensaries operating in the community of Rosamond.

The investigative agencies were the:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC)
Kern County Sheriff’s Office
Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA)
Kern County District Attorney’s Office
Kern County Probation Department

According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation resulted in the closure of all seven marijuana dispensaries that were found to be in violation of County and State Health and Safety Code ordinances/ laws. Investigators from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) assisted detectives in the overall operation and found the dispensaries to be violation for the illicit sales of marijuana and various cannabis products.

Members of Kern County Code Compliance responded and during their investigation found numerous building code violations at each of the seven locations. Based on the violations, the businesses were deemed unsafe for occupancy and posted by Kern County Code Compliance.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the following subjects were arrested and booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Central Receiving Facility or Mojave jail:

Gregory Black, 54, of Rosamond, for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance while being armed with a loaded handgun and for several outstanding warrants.
Jennifer Lara, 36, of Mojave, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Christopher Tusnstall, 27, of Lancaster, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Sheri Castellanos, 62, of Bakersfield, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Philip Silva, 39, of Lancaster, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Tyler Pedigo, 33, of Rosamond, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Christopher Clark, 38, of Sylmar, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Guadalupe Vieyra, 32, of Little Rock, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Christopher Sosa, 39, of Lancaster, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales, conspiracy to commit a crime and for having an outstanding warrant.
Iris Castro, 30, of Lancaster, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Jennifer Castro, 26, of Lancaster, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Levan Kekelia, 47, of Mojave, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Catana Berthiaume, 31 of Lancaster, arrested for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Michael Epps, 28, of Mojave, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Marlon Garnett, 26, of Mojave, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Munster Maayah, 25, of Rosamond, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of a controlled substance and for possession of a controlled substance while being armed with a loaded handgun.
Jacob Dewater, 36, of Lancaster, for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sales and for conspiracy to commit a crime.