Five Bakersfield dispensaries raided after allegations of sales to teens; multiple arrests made

Police raided five dispensaries in Bakersfield this month after complaints surfaced that illegal shops were selling vape pens, psilocybin mushrooms, and THC edibles to high school-aged students. Several people were taken into custody following the joint operation by Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) narcotics detectives and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Authorities said they launched surveillance and served search warrants after receiving numerous citizen complaints. The raids led to sizable seizures of marijuana, edibles, mushrooms, vape pens, wax products, and cash believed to be drug proceeds.

Locations, items seized, and arrests:

2500 New Stine Road #205
• Seized: 4.9 lbs. marijuana, 104 pre-rolls, 61 vape pens, 100 edibles, 15 mushroom edibles, 64 wax items
• Cash: $1,436
• Arrested: Edwin Roman, 39, charged with possession for sales, operating a drug house, and an outstanding felony hit-and-run warrant
440 Brundage Lane
• Seized: 5.6 lbs. marijuana, 25 THC edibles, 44 vape pens, 44 vape cartridges, 19 THC wax items
• Arrested: Adrian Ortega, 22, charged with possession for sales, operating a drug house, and a misdemeanor warrant
4501 Stine Road #201
• Seized: 51.1 lbs. marijuana, 439 THC vape pens, 301 THC edibles, 51 THC wax items, 2.8 lbs. psilocybin mushrooms, 97 mushroom edibles
• Cash: $2,205
• Arrested: Jose Villasenor, 31, for possession for sales, operating a drug house, and being a felon in possession of a firearm
• Arrested: Erik Ruiz, 21, for possession for sales and operating a drug house
214 H Street
• Seized: 43.3 lbs. marijuana, 169 THC edibles, 386 vape pens, 2.3 lbs. mushrooms, 60 mushroom edibles, 83 wax items
• Cash: $2,470
• Arrested: Jesus Arenas, 45, and Roscoe McClinton, 31, both for possession for sales and operating a drug house
113 18th Street
• Seized: 8.3 lbs. marijuana, 78 THC edibles, 234 vape pens, 19 wax items, 2 lbs. wax
• Cash: $884
• Arrested: Jorge Guillen, 22, for possession for sales and operating a drug house

In a statement, police said the raids underscore their commitment to protecting vulnerable youth:

“This case highlights the Bakersfield Police Department’s and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s continued commitment to safeguard high school-aged children from the dangers of illegal narcotics.”

Authorities added they will continue working with the community to crack down on dispensaries that target minors.