Sheriff's Narcotics Detetctives Arrest 2 in Pot Case

Suspects Used Craigslist to Sell Marijuana plants

Santa Barbara, Carpinteria- April 1st, 2010

On Tuesday March 23rd and Tuesday March 30th, 2010, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Narcotics Detectives concluded investigations into suspected illegal marijuana cultivators and marijuana traffickers operating through the website “Craigslist” within the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria.

Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives contacted the first suspect, identified as Matthew SCHNEIDER (5-28-81) of Santa Barbara through his “Craigslist” posting in which he was selling active marijuana “clone” plants. A marijuana “clone” plant is a rooted clipping that is taken from a “mother” or female cannabis plant that typically exhibits qualities such as fast growth, high potency and mold/pest resistance. Typically, multiple clippings are removed from the “mother” plant and the grower places the clippings into a rooting system and begins to grow them. The growing continues until he/she harvests the “clones” which have become full plants and yield marijuana “buds”.

During the investigation detectives gathered enough evidence to arrest Schneider and serve a search warrant at his residence in the 200 block of El Sueno Rd. in Santa Barbara.  At that residence, detectives located over 100 active marijuana plants, 2 lbs of processed marijuana and over $8,000 cash. 

Additional information obtained at the residence indicated that Schneider had another residence in Mendocino County. An additional search warrant was issued and served at the residence in the 27000 block of Maize Dr. in Willits, CA by the County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team (COMMET). Over 65 active marijuana plants and $1,500 in cash was seized at that location.

Schneider was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for violations of 11360 H&S – Transportation of Marijuana and 11359 H&S – Possession of Marijuana for sales and 11358 H&S – Cultivation of Marijuana with bail set at $20,000.

On Tuesday March 30th, 2010, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Narcotics Detectives contacted the second suspect, identified as Barry HERRON (1-20-81) of Carpinteria through his “Craigslist” posting in which he was also selling active marijuana “clone” plants.

As a result of their investigation detectives arrested Herron and served a search warrant at his residence in the 1300 block of Linhere St. in Carpinteria.  At that residence, detectives located over 45 active marijuana plants and other items indicative to the cultivation and illegal sales of marijuana.

Herron was booked into SBCJ for violations of 11360 H&S – Transportation of Marijuana and 11359 H&S – Possession of Marijuana for sales and 11358 H&S – Cultivation of Marijuana with bail set at $20,000.

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