Rosamond, California – Nine people were arrested after authorities shut down four illegal marijuana dispensaries, seizing 330 pounds of processed cannabis and other drugs.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, search warrants were executed around 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at four dispensaries operating in Rosamond. The operation involved the Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Special Services Unit, Gang Unit and SWAT team, along with state and county partner agencies.
Officials said the businesses were allegedly operating in violation of county and state health and safety codes. The locations included Lights Out Wellness on 1739 Poplar St., The Plum Tree Collective at 2873 Sierra Hwy, CBD Botanicals at 2763 Sierra Hwy and The Hemp Depot at 2739 Diamond St.
Authorities reported seizing 330.2 pounds of processed marijuana, 211.9 pounds of THC edibles, 324 pounds of THC concentrates, 3,072 THC vape cartridges and 46 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms and edibles.
Kern County Code Compliance inspected the properties and allegedly tagged the buildings as unsafe for occupancy due to numerous violations.
The following individuals were booked into the Lerdo Justice Facility on suspicion of maintaining a place for drug sales, possession of marijuana for sale and conspiracy to commit a crime: Vasil Kobaladze, 51, of Acton; Manal Benjama, 26, of Lancaster; Arsenio Trice, 36, of Mojave (also allegedly charged with possession of methamphetamine); Eric Aponte, 23, of Rosamond; Selena Labrador, 23, of Rosamond; LilGiene Waylon Zaragoza, 21, of Wasco; Jonathan Corrales, 20, of Cal City; Robert Romero, 45, of Rosamond; and Brent Cowan, 42, of Bakersfield.
Investigators from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration are conducting follow-up investigations into alleged illicit sales and related violations.
The closures may impact local customers and young workers employed at the shops.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.
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