Nature of Incident: Narcotics Sales Arrest
Report Number: 21-113681
Location: City of Thousand Oaks
Date & Time: 9/1/21
Unit(s) Responsible: Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU)
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Ross Cumming Thousand Oaks 24
(S) Ariannah Bessa Ojai 24
Narrative: On August 20, 2021, detectives from the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) concluded a month-long investigation involving narcotics sales in the city of Thousand Oaks.
During the month of July 2021, detectives from DEU received information that Cumming recently paroled from prison and was selling heroin and fentanyl to residents of Thousand Oaks. DEU had knowledge that Cumming was previously arrested and convicted of selling narcotics to a Thousand Oaks juvenile which resulted in the juvenile’s death.
Detectives assigned to the Thousand Oaks DEU initiated an investigation into Cumming and his involvement in narcotics sales. During the course of the investigation, DEU developed information that Cumming was working in concert with his girlfriend (S) Ariannah Bessa to sell narcotics.
On August 20, 2021, DEU detectives, along with detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU), contacted both Cumming and Bessa in the city of Ventura. During the contact, detectives located evidence indicative of illegal narcotic sales and arrested Cumming and Bessa. Cumming and Bessa were found to be in possession of heroin, fentanyl, and multiple digital scales. Cumming and Bessa were booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for a violation of HS 11352 – Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance, HS 11351 – Offering a Controlled Substance for Sale and PC 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. Cumming is currently in custody and his bail is set at $60,000. Bessa posted bail and was released from custody.
The Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) is made up of members of the Thousand Oaks Police Department. The mission of the unit is to conduct proactive policing utilizing intelligence led policing methods to reduce crime within the city of Thousand Oaks.
Prepared by: Detective Weston Price
News Release Date: September 1, 2021
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Weston Price 805-947-8281 [email protected]
Approved by: Captain Dean Coo
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