Multiple Arrests in Illegal Dispensaries Operation 

February 14, 2026 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on February 12, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the (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 involved in 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 Street

The Plum Tree Collective – 2873 Sierra Hwy.

CBD Botanicals – 2763 Sierra Hwy.

The Hemp Depot – 2739 Diamond Street

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, Acton

Manal Benjamaa, 26, Lancaster

Arsenio Trice, 36, Mojave (also charged with possession of methamphetamine)

Eric Aponte, 23, Rosamond

Selena Labrador, 23, Rosamond

LilGene Waylon Zaragoza, 21, Wasco

Jonathan Corrales, 20, Cal City

Robert Romero, 45, Rosamond

Brent Cowan, 42, Bakersfield

Source & photos: Kern County Sheriff’s Office