February 8, 2023 - Six Oxnard residents who were involved in the importation and distribution of at least 10 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, including illicit M-30 pills, in Ventura County were arrested during the months of November and December 2022.   Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office worked in close collaboration with the Oxnard Police Department Narcotics Unit during this case to ensure these dangerous drugs were not distributed throughout the county.     
 
During the end of 2022, VCAT detectives identified Mauricio Yepez and Marc Anthony Mendoza, members of a drug trafficking organization involved in pound level sales of methamphetamine to residents of Ventura County.  VCAT detectives continued their investigation and identified Rodrigo Jimenez as a source of supply for Yepez and Mendoza.  Detectives identified Jesus Larios as being a methamphetamine courier for Jimenez. Omar Garay was identified as a stash house operator and also distributed street level quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine for Jimenez in the City of Oxnard.  Through various investigative methods, VCAT detectives identified Saulo Barragan as a primary source of supply of fentanyl in Ventura County.  
 
On November 12, 2022, VCAT detectives learned Jimenez instructed Larios to transport a bulk quantity of methamphetamine to a customer.  Narcotics Detectives, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle being driven by Larios in City of Fillmore.  The traffic stop yielded approximately six pounds of methamphetamine. 
 
During the month of December 2022, VCAT detectives obtained search warrants for multiple residences in the City of Oxnard, associated with Jimenez, Garay, Larios and Barragan.  During the service of the search warrants 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 19 ounces of fentanyl, 3 ounces of cocaine, 4 ounces of heroin, 1000 M-30 pills believed to contain fentanyl, 5 firearms, packaging material nearly $60,000 in narcotics proceeds, and multiple vehicles purchased with ill-gotten gains, and used in the transportation of narcotics were seized.
 
Felony narcotics and firearms related cases have been submitted to the District Attorney’s office for consideration in filing.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source & photo: Ventura County Sheriff's Office