South County Drug Bust

Goleta - July 3rd, 2009

On Wednesday July 1, 2009, Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives concluded a month long investigation into suspected illegal marijuana cultivators and traffickers in Santa Barbara County. Detectives were originally alerted to the suspects when they intercepted a parcel containing marijuana that was being shipped to New York. Narcotics Detectives served three search warrants including residences at:

2100 block of East Valley Rd. Montecito, CA
100 block of Valencia Rd. Summerland, CA
100 block of Verona Ave. Goleta, CA

During the service of the search warrants on July 1, 2009, the suspects, Misha Aaron FORD (DOB 9-9-1973) of Summerland, Donald BULLICK (DOB 7-7-1948), and Michael SHAPIRO (DOB 5-13-40) were contacted inside their residences. During the searches, over 400 active marijuana plants were located in sophisticated indoor and outdoor marijuana gardens. Additionally Detectives seized 5 pounds of processed marijuana, with a street value of $20,000, 4 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $400, a usable amount of psilocybin, several ecstasy pills and approximately $18,000.00 in cash.

Evidence located at the residence showed that all three suspects were illegally cultivating and selling the marijuana outside the scope of Proposition 215.  During the month long operation FORD sold marijuana openly in the presence of an undercover officer. Additionally, FORD and SHAPIRO were shipping pounds of the processed marijuana to the East Coast, including New York and New Jersey. The total value of the marijuana plants seized during the investigation was estimated at $800,000.

Summerland resident Misha FORD was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $30,000 due for violations of 182 P.C. – Conspiracy, 11358 H&S – Cultivation of Marijuana, 11359 H&S – Possession of Marijuana for sales, 11350 H&S – Possession of cocaine, 11377 H&S – Possession of Ecstasy and 11360 H&S – Transportation of Marijuana. 

Charges submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for Montecito resident Donald BULLICK included 182 P.C. – Conspiracy, 11358 H&S – Cultivation of Marijuana, 11359 H&S – Possession of Marijuana for sales and 11377 H&S – Possession of Psilocybin.

Charges submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for Goleta resident Michael SHAPIRO included 182 P.C. – Conspiracy, 11358 H&S – Cultivation of Marijuana, 11359 H&S – Possession of Marijuana for sales and 11360 H&S – Transportation of Marijuana.

Donald Bullick and Michael Shapiro were cited and released, therefore there are no booking photos available.

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