Twelve arrested in federal takedown of nine California marijuana stores
Federal authorities arrested 12 of 14 people indicted over a chain of nine marijuana stores across Orange and Los Angeles counties on 25 October 2012. The indictment named owner John Melvin Walker and alleged at least a ton of marijuana distributed, tens of millions in income and $390,000 cash seized.
🇺🇸 Orange and Los Angeles counties, California · California, United States
Twelve of 14 people named in a 14-count federal indictment were arrested on the morning of 25 October 2012 over a chain of nine marijuana stores across Orange and Los Angeles counties.[1][2]The indictment described a conspiracy led by owner John Melvin Walker, 56, of San Clemente, which distributed at least a ton of marijuana through the storefronts.[1]The nine stores stretched from Long Beach and Dana Point to Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Whittier and San Juan Capistrano, and most had already been searched in 2010 and 2011.[1][2]
Money and guns
The stores generated tens of millions of dollars, with one shop alone allegedly profiting about $2.4 million in 2009, and the indictment accused Walker of hiding the income from tax authorities and ordering records destroyed.[1][2]When authorities had seized firearms from Walker’s home the previous year they also took about $390,000 in cash; Walker, previously convicted on cocaine and marijuana charges, was charged over a handgun, a shotgun and an AK-47.[1][2]Two defendants were still being sought, and all 14 faced a conspiracy count carrying ten years to life.[1]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
Cameron County deputies arrested Farid Sadek Khouane after a search warrant at his home on Varela Court in Brownsville. Deputies reported seizing just over 13 ounces of marijuana, 49 THC pens, suspected cocaine, three weapons and cash.
SWAT operators and the Border Belt Drug Task Force searched a home on Stanton Road southeast of Maxton, North Carolina, on 12 November 2026 and seized cocaine, Suboxone strips, prescription pills, marijuana and a firearm. Tommy Dale Barnes, 40, surrendered the next day and faces charges including possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, held on a $1.1 million secured bond.
Chad Andrew Chandler, 42, of Rockmart was arrested after allegedly fleeing a Polk County officer on New Prospect Road and being found with marijuana. He faces marijuana possession and other charges including crossing the guard line with drugs, giving false information, obstruction and a bicycle equipment violation.
Florence County sheriff's deputies, with the SWAT team, executed a search warrant on an Ossie Lane home in Florence after an undercover operation and arrested Jack Randall Newsome, 48. He faces charges including distribution and trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) and flunitrazepam, and is held at the county detention centre awaiting a bond hearing.
