Detectives bust up alleged drug trafficking ring

By ERIC LINDBERG — July 4, 2009

A month-long investigation into illegal marijuana cultivation and trafficking ended Wednesday with the seizure of nearly a million dollars worth of drugs, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s officials said, and three men face prosecution in connection with the alleged trafficking ring.

Narcotics detectives were tipped off to a parcel of marijuana that was being shipped to New York, authorities said, and ultimately served search warrants at homes in Montecito, Summerland and Goleta.

“During the searches, over 400 active marijuana plants were located in sophisticated indoor and outdoor marijuana gardens,” Sheriff’s Spokesman Drew Sugars said in a news release. “Additionally, detectives seized 5 pounds of processed marijuana, with a street value of $20,000; 4 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $400; a usable amount of psilocybin, several ecstasy pills and approximately $18,000 in cash.”

Detectives took Misha Aaron Ford, 35, of Summerland, into custody in lieu of $30,000 bail for cultivation, possession and transportation of marijuana, as well as possession of cocaine and ecstasy, authorities said.

Sheriff’s officials also cited and released two other suspects, in addition to submitted recommended charges to the District Attorney’s Office.

Donald Bullick, 60, of Montecito, faces charges of conspiracy, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and possession of psilocybin.

Daniel Shapiro, 69, of Goleta, is facing prosecution for conspiracy and cultivation, possession and transportation of marijuana.

“Evidence located at the residences showed that all three suspects were illegally cultivating and selling the marijuana outside the scope of Proposition 215,” Sugars said, referring to the state’s exemption for medical marijuana. “During the month-long operation, Ford sold marijuana openly in the presence of an undercover officer. Additionally, Ford and Shapiro were shipping pounds of the processed marijuana to the East Coast, including New York and New Jersey.”

He said the estimated value of the marijuana plants seized during the searches is $800,000. Authorities searched residences in the 2100 block of E. Valley Road, the 100 block of Valencia Road, and the 100 block of Verona Avenue.

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Poor cost-effectiveness : 7/4/2009

A month-long investigation to get $20,000 worth of marijuana? Marijuana is California's largest cash crop, with an annual value of $16 billion. At this rate, it will take county sheriffs 66,666 years to find and destroy all the marijuana in California. Our current marijuana laws are impossible to enforce. Despite decades of marijuana eradication and despite arresting 800,000 people a year, pot is still easier to buy for most high school kids than beer. Keeping marijuana illegal does not benefit our children. It benefits special interest groups: drug cartels, the prison industry, police departments, and government bureaucracies. It is immoral to prevent responsible adults from choosing to use a less harmful substance in place of alcohol. If pot were legalized, alcohol use would decrease along with its associated social costs. If you want marijuana to be legalized, taxed, and regulated for adults, YOU can make it happen. Tell your legislators to support California Assembly Bill 390. It's easy. Visit http://yes390.org

AB390

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: 7/4/2009

I vote yes for legalization. Smoking weed doesn't harm the body like alcohol. Just ask your liver.

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DRUGS : 7/6/2009

LAAAAAAAAAME! waste of time and $$$. all the cops did was make room for the next guy to sell weed

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Give me a break : 7/6/2009

The only problem with marijuana in CA is that we waste money busting people for using/growing/buying/selling it. When will this great state learn that marijuana could SOLVE our very serious budget problems?

barryman

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