In a significant crackdown on illegal cannabis operations in California, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office achieved a major breakthrough. On a seemingly ordinary Thursday, a raid in Santa Maria led to an extraordinary find. Detectives from the Cannabis Compliance Team executed a search warrant at a residence on South Smith Street, uncovering a trove of illegal items.
At the heart of this operation was Apolinar Ordaz Soriano, a 24-year-old local resident. Soriano’s dwelling was anything but typical. Inside, authorities discovered around 90 pounds of marijuana, an alarming amount indicating large-scale illegal activity. But the surprises didn’t end there. Alongside the marijuana, detectives found an unserialized AR-15 rifle, a concerning discovery considering its potential use. However, it was the cash that truly astounded – over $300,000, a sum that speaks volumes about the scale of Soriano’s operations.
The implications of this find are far-reaching. Soriano now faces multiple charges, painting a grim picture of his future. The charges include the sale and transportation of cannabis without a license and possession of cannabis for sale, alongside conspiracy. These are serious accusations, highlighting the rigorous enforcement of cannabis laws in California.