5 Arrested in Taft and Maricopa Illegal Marijuana Grows- On October 15,...

5 Arrested in Taft and Maricopa Illegal Marijuana Grows- On October 15, 2025, deputies from the Taft Substation with the assistance from members of KCSO High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) and agents from Fish and Game Wildlife served search warrants for marijuana cultivation in Taft and Maricopa where 2,843 marijuana plants, 2,501.5 lbs of processed marijuana, and one loaded firearm were seized resulting in five arrests. All suspects were later booked into Lerdo jail. Search warrants were served on the 100 block South Street in Taft, the 300 block of Naylor Avenue in Taft, and 2100 block of Brummett Way in Maricopa. Ignacio Chavez, age 43, of Mexico, was arrested for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, and maintain a residence for sales. Luis SanchezRomo, age 29, of Mexico, Ignacio Nevarez, age 57, of Mexico, and Selvano Gomez, age 42, of Mexico, were arrested for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, maintain a residence for sales, and conspiracy. SanchezRomo was also arrested for possession of a zip gun and possession of a controlled substance. Francisco Tabares, age 27, of Lancaster, was arrested for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, and maintain a residence for sales. Kern County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting our communities and ensuring the safety of our residents by investigating and dismantling illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution operations. These types of crimes often contribute to broader public safety concerns and can negatively impact the overall quality of life in our neighborhoods.