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Narcotics Arrests/Marijuana Eradication
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Thursday, August 12th, 2010
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department In July of this year, Lockwood Valley deputies were told of a marijuana cultivation located in the Wagon Canyon area of the Los Padres National Forest near Lockwood Valley. The Sheriff’s Air Unit confirmed the validity of the report when several plots were observed. A possible access trail was identified leading from Lockwood Valley Road to the grow sites. On August 10, Sheriff’s detectives and United States Forest Service personnel set up surveillance around the area and saw a sedan stop at the trail where a person got out of the vehicle and went into the brush. The vehicle then continued out of the area. Detectives later stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Bravo, who was subsequently arrested for conspiracy to cultivate marijuana. A short time later, a van was seen stopped at the trail. The driver spent several minutes at the location acting in a way that led investigators to believe he was involved with the illegal marijuana cultivation. The van left the area and was later stopped by detectives. The driver, Guiltron, was arrested for conspiracy to cultivate marijuana. Detectives could see a subject walking around the area of the trail to the illegal cultivation. They arrested Ayala when he attempted to flee into the darkness. He was later booked for conspiracy to cultivate marijuana. Ayala is the roommate of Bravo and the uncle of Guiltron. On August 11, members of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit West County Street Team, the United States Forest Service, and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement C.A.M.P. (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) eradicated the marijuana cultivation in Wagon Canyon. 27,961 marijuana plants were destroyed, this being the largest known single marijuana operation in Ventura County history. Investigators located a campsite although no one else seen in the area. Location: Lockwood Valley Road Date: August 10 & 11, 2010 Unit Responsible: Ventura County Narcotics Bureau, West County Street Team Suspects City of Residence Age Officer Preparing Release: Sgt Mike Horne |
