CDFW and DCC assisted with warrants and arrests
“This is a significant bust and goes far in protecting public safety and public health. It demonstrates the work that can be done investigating illegal businesses when numerous law enforcement agencies combine their resources and expertise.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
KERN COUNTY – On February 12, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA), Special Services Unit, Gang Unit, and personnel from the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team executed search warrants at four illegal marijuana dispensaries operating in Rosamond. Wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife/Cannabis Enforcement Program (CEP), detectives from the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), and officers from the Kern County Probation Department assisted with the warrants and arrests of numerous individuals suspected of operating these illegal businesses. Investigators from the Kern County District Attorney’s Office supported by processing the dispensaries and conducting civil investigations.
The operation resulted in the closure of all four dispensaries, which were in violation of County and State Health and Safety Codes. Investigators from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) will conduct follow-up investigations regarding illicit marijuana sales and related violations at the following locations:
Lights Out Wellness – 1739 Poplar St
The Plum Tree Collective – 2873 Sierra Hwy
CBD Botanicals – 2763 Sierra Hwy
The Hemp Depot – 2739 Diamond St
Kern County code compliance officials inspected these sites and, due to numerous violations, “tagged” the buildings as unsafe for occupancy.
The search warrants resulted in the seizure of:
- 330.2 lbs. of processed marijuana
- 211.9 lbs. of THC edibles
- 324 lbs. of THC concentrates
- 3,072 THC vape cartridges
- 46 lbs. of psilocybin mushrooms/edibles
The following individuals were arrested for maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sale, and conspiracy to commit a crime. All were booked into the Lerdo Justice Facility:
- Vasil Kobaladze, 51, of Acton
- Manal Benjamaa, 26, of Lancaster
- Arsenio Trice, 36, of Mojave (also charged with possession of methamphetamine)
- Eric Aponte, 23, of Rosamond
- Selena Labrador, 23, of Rosamond
- LilGene Waylon Zaragoza, 21, of Wasco
- Jonathan Corrales, 20, of Cal City
- Robert Romero, 45, of Rosamond
- Brent Cowan, 42, of Bakersfield
