Ventura County Sheriff – Incident Press Release
During the month of March 2020, Lockwood Station deputies learned of an illegal marijuana grow operation in the Lockwood Valley. During the investigation, deputies learned marijuana was being illegally cultivated in Ventura County and sold in Los Angeles County.
On May 06, 2020, detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Gang Unit, with the assistance of the Narcotics Street Team, Lockwood Station deputies, and Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Investigators concluded a month’s long investigation regarding the illegal cultivation, transportation, and sales of marijuana occurring in Lockwood Valley, in Ventura County.
Oganes Varoyan was identified as the primary suspect involved in the illegal cultivation of marijuana. Khoren Varoyan and Akop Bakalyan were identified as associates and co- conspirators involved in the illegal cultivation and sales of marijuana.
Bakalyan’s secondary residence in the 16000 block of Curtis Trail, Frazier Park was identified as the location where marijuana was being illegally cultivated. Oganes Varoyan was arrested for felony charges after leaving the property on Curtis Trail. A search warrant at the location was served. Detectives located an elaborate indoor marijuana grow containing almost 500 marijuana plants, chemicals consistent with marijuana cultivation and 12 firearms. Oganes was transported to the Ventura County Jail and booked for various narcotics related charges.
Detectives also served search warrants at Varoyan’s residence in the 6500 block of Nagle Avenue, Van Nuys and Bakalyan’s residence in the 6200 block of Ranchito Avenue, Van Nuys. Khoren Varoyan was arrested for various narcotics related charges and later booked in the Ventura County Jail. Bakalyan was not located at this time. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of US currency and more firearms.
In all, detectives seized over 87 pounds of marijuana and over $17,000 in US currency. Of the 60 firearms seized during the investigation, several firearms were determined to be stolen and others were determined to be unlawful assault weapons. The majority of the firearms were found to be unregistered. Although Proposition 64 legalized marijuana use, sales, and cultivation, there are strict guidelines and permitting requirements set forth by the State of California. The street retail value of the marijuana seized was in excess of $80,000.
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