VENTURA, Calif. — Authorities have arrested four men in connection with a large-scale illegal residential marijuana cultivation operation spanning Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Brent Kennedy, 34, of Simi Valley; Reece Clark, 54, of Acton; Jason Zhikarev, 34, of Simi Valley; and Jake Burton, 38, of Santa Clarita were taken into custody on multiple felony narcotics and weapons charges.
The investigation, which began in November 2024, uncovered six residences used for marijuana cultivation in Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, and Acton. On February 20, 2025, detectives executed search warrants at each location, seizing more than 1,700 marijuana plants, 45 pounds of processed marijuana, 26 firearms, seven ounces of concentrated cannabis, 300 opiate pills, six pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, and a significant amount of suspected drug proceeds.
Officials determined two Simi Valley residences were uninhabitable due to damage caused by the cultivation operations, which involved complex lighting, irrigation, and fertilization systems.
Kennedy was released on $20,000 bail, while Clark, Zhikarev, and Burton each posted $50,000 bail. All four suspects are scheduled to appear in court on March 6, 2025.