Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 11/8/2011, members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Bureau, West County Street Team, and the Sheriff’s Air Unit conducted a reconnaissance flight in the Alamo Mountain area of North Eastern Ventura County near Pyramid Lake. Investigators located growing marijuana surrounding a makeshift campsite on a hillside a short distance above Piru Creek. The hillside had been terraced and large tracts of brush and trees were removed. Plastic irrigation hose ran from an adjacent canyon where water was gravity fed to the plants.

In the campsite and surrounding area, detectives found an estimated 130 lbs. of manicured marijuana drying on tarps under trees. The camp had sleeping equipment for several people and a large store of food and supplies were found. It appeared to investigators that the camp had been used that day and they believed the suspects were possibly still in the area.

A footpath with fresh footprints was located heading into a rugged canyon above the campsite. Detectives followed these tracks for approximately one half mile when they came upon seven subjects. These subjects were trying to elude deputies and had come to a dangerous cliff area with nowhere else to hide. The detectives assisted the exhausted men up the steep hillside to a location where they could be airlifted out. It was determined these subjects were involved in the marijuana cultivation discovered in the area. They were all arrested and subsequently booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages those who frequent the Ventura County backcountry to report any suspicious activity to authorities.

Report Number:
Location: Alamo Mountain
Date & Time: 11/8/2011 @ 1430 hours
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau West County Street Team, Sheriff’s Air Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Jose Inzunza
Bruno Mata
Luis Diego
Jesus Chavez
Juan Hernandez
David Aispuro
Miguel Martinez
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Compton 40
24
27
20
30
20
42
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sgt. Mike Horne
Media Release Date: 11/9/2011
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Mike Horne
Approved by: Captain Dave Murray

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).