4 Arrested in Raid on Marijuana Farm

Four Kern County residents were jailed after authorities shut down a major marijuana-growing operation on a remote ranch here, police said Saturday.

The raid followed a two-week investigation by Ventura County sheriff’s narcotics detectives, who took the four people, all from Maricopa, into custody Friday morning. Authorities estimate the illegal operation was worth more than $500,000.

According to Sgt. Bob Garcia, detectives found 342 pot plants being cultivated in several spots indoors and outdoors at the ranch. The plants were between 5 and 6 feet tall, he said.

Authorities also found a small building on the property, located in the 300 block of Lockwood Valley Road, where it appeared marijuana was being processed into hashish, a more potent form of the illegal substance, Garcia said.

Lynn Osburn, 50, Judy Osburn, 47, Carol Jo Papac, 50, and Mark Davidson, 28, were each being held on $50,000 bail.