Photo: Ross Cumming
September 4, 2021 – Ventura County, Ca.
24-year-old Thousand Oaks resident Ross Cumming has little apparent interest in any career involving legitimate, steady employment. Instead, since the age of 19—when he was first arrested as the suspected provider of heroin to a 16-year-old who died from an overdose of the controlled substance—by all accounts he has pursuing profits through the sales of drugs.
That reputation, according to news released to the media on September 1st , Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Det. Weston Price, precedes Cumming and is why he was the focus of “a month-long investigation involving narcotics sales in the City of Thousand Oaks.” It was in July 2021 when detectives from the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) learned that Cumming, “recently paroled from prison” was actively selling heroin and fentanyl to his peers within the community.
Their investigation lead DEU detectives to further evidence that Cumming “was working in concert with his girlfriend”, 24-year-old Ojai resident Ariannah Bessa, in their illegal narcotics trafficking endeavors. With that evidence in hand, on August 20th DEU detectives and members of the VCSD Gang Unit made contact with Cumming and Bessa while they cruised the streets of Ventura. That contact lead to the discovery of “evidence indicative of illegal narcotic sales” and prompted the immediate arrest of both suspects.
Cumming and Bessa were both transported to Ventura County Jail, where they were charged with possession for sales of a controlled substance, offering a controlled substance for sale, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Cumming remains in custody with his bail set at $60,000, while Bessa posted bail and has been released from custody.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking, 2016
