"Sophisticated" Marijuana Operation Shut Down by Sheriff's Narcotics Detectives

Goleta - March 31st, 2008

On March 28th, 2008 Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives and Gang Unit conducted a search warrant of a suspected marijuana operation inside Industrial Digital Services, a business located on the 5700 Block of Thornwood Drive in Goleta in South Santa Barbara County.

During the search detectives discovered more than 360 marijuana plants in what is arguably the most sophisticated indoor grow ever seen in the county. Upon entering the building, detectives found five employees on site actually trimming and drying marijuana of which sixty pounds ($246,000 worth) had already been processed.

Paperwork located on site indicated the subjects were selling the marijuana at $4100 a pound. Upon completion of the growing stage, the remaining plants would have been sold with an estimated street value of $738,000.

Detectives arrested the primary suspect whom they identify as Paul Fischer (DOB 2-27-51).  They also located approximately $60,000 in cash located inside Fischer’s vehicle and the business on Thornwood Drive. Detectives also found paperwork that showed Fischer was making up to $80,000 a month from the Goleta grow operation. Fischer owned Industrial Digital Services and rented the property in which it was located.

Further investigation led detectives to a second marijuana operation that Fischer owned and operated in San Rafael north of San Francisco. Another search warrant was prepared and sent to the San Rafael Police Department Narcotic Task Force. Officers executed the warrant for the commercial building in the 100 block of Paul Road and located more than 300 plants ($615,000 street value) in a very similar indoor grow like the sophisticated operation located in Goleta. Paperwork located inside the building further confirmed it was indeed operated by Paul Fischer.

Detectives arrested Fischer for the following three felonies: Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Cultivation of Marijuana, and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. Fischer was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. Charges are pending regarding the other five individuals.

There is no evidence that the marijuana was being grown for medicinal marijuana purposes.

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