Sheriff's Narcotics Detectives Re-Arrest Major Marijuana Trafficker

31 Arrested in Multi-State Investigation

Goleta - March 9th, 2010

On Tuesday January 5th, 2010, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Narcotics Detectives concluded an investigation into suspected illegal marijuana cultivators and nationwide marijuana traffickers within the city of Goleta. Detectives were originally alerted to the suspects when one of the suspects, Kenneth KOSTER (DOB 1-19-64) was arrested by the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office in Oklahoma. KOSTER was found to be transporting over 33 lbs of processed marijuana with a street value in Oklahoma at $165,000. It was believed that KOSTER’s destination for the marijuana was Seminole County, Florida.

A subsequent search warrant was authored for KOSTER’s residence and SBSO Detectives located over 130 active marijuana plants in a sophisticated indoor marijuana garden on the El Camino Ratel property. Narcotics Detectives also located over 10 pounds of processed marijuana, scales, packaging materials and pay/owe sheets. Approximately $27,000.00 in cash and $10,000.00 in equipment was seized pursuant to State Asset Forfeiture laws. Also arrested at the residence was Santa Barbara/Humboldt County resident George FOXX (01-31-73) for a local Santa Barbara County warrant.

A further joint operation with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office/City County Investigative Bureau continued in which numerous suspects were observed brokering and selling marijuana obtained through “Medicinal Marijuana” growers in Santa Barbara and Humboldt counties. The main California contact and source of marijuana was identified as George FOXX. FOXX and other growers would “pool” their harvests and sell it to the suspects who would smuggle it to Florida for the purposes of sales. FOXX is currently wanted on a $500,000.00 Florida RICO warrant for felony marijuana smuggling and money laundering. If you know the whereabouts of FOXX you are urged to contact your local law enforcement agency.

Kenneth KOSTER bailed out of Canadian County Sheriff’s Office and returned to California. On Thursday, March 4th, 2010, a $500,000.00 warrant out of Seminole County Florida was issued for KOSTER’s arrest for felony smuggling of marijuana. SBSO Narcotics Detectives apprehended KOSTER in the 1900 block of Old San Marcos Rd. He was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail awaiting extradition to Seminole County, Florida.

So far, Seminole County authorities have arrested 31 suspects and seized 600 pounds of high-grade marijuana, ½ kilo of cocaine, 27 vehicles and approximately $700,000.00.

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