Golden State Today

Santa Maria, Calif. – A 25-year-old man from Santa Maria has been arrested for illegal marijuana sales. Apolinar Ordaz was taken into custody by Cannabis Compliance Team detectives on March 13, 2025. Search warrants were executed in the 200-block of Rochelle Lane in Santa Maria and at Ordaz’s home in the 2000-block of Sandalwood Drive in Tanglewood.

During these searches, authorities uncovered evidence suggesting that Ordaz was involved in an illicit marijuana business, shipping cannabis from online sales to states where such sales are prohibited. Consequently, he was charged with one felony and two misdemeanor violations related to interstate marijuana shipping. Additionally, Ordaz is being held without bail due to a probation violation from a previous charge.

Sheriff Brown emphasized the importance of addressing illegal cannabis operations: “It is important to realize that illegal marijuana distribution and sales operations negatively impact the legal cannabis industry by offering unregulated products.”

The enforcement actions taken by the Santa Barbara County Cannabis Compliance Team aim to uphold the integrity of the legal cannabis market while protecting public safety. By arresting individuals involved in illegal sales, they seek to prevent organized crime and associated violence within the drug trade. This proactive approach underscores their commitment to maintaining a regulated and responsible cannabis industry.