Pharmaceutical Medication Arrest 

April 24, 2023 -  Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on March 16, 2023, the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crime Units (VC FOCUS) concluded an investigation into a 15-year-old male juvenile suspect who was operating an online marketplace for alprazolam (Xanax), psilocybin mushrooms and various forms of marijuana.

On February 10, 2023, VCFOCUS investigators were conducting an investigation of a deceased female which was possibly the result of a drug overdose. During the investigation, investigators identified a juvenile male suspect who was running an online marketplace on a popular social media application called Telegram. This juvenile was selling alprazolam, psilocybin mushrooms and various marijuana products to numerous residents of Ventura County.

On March 16, 2023, VCFOCUS investigators conducted an undercover operation and the juvenile agreed to sell an undercover detective alprazolam. A search warrant was executed at the juvenile’s residence in the city of Oxnard. During the search warrant, detectives seized the amount of Farmapram which was going to be sold to the detective. Farmapram is medication manufactured in Mexico containing Alprazolam.

Due to the juvenile’s age, he was arrested and released to his guardian. The case will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine and is a Schedule IV controlled substance.  Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.  The misuse or abuse of Alprazolam can cause addiction, overdose, or death.  Alprazolam can slow or stop your breathing and fatal side effects can occur if you combine Alprazolam with alcohol or opioid medications.                   

The Ventura County Fentanyl Crimes and Overdose Units (VC FOCUS) is a task force made up of all Ventura County local law enforcement departments along with state and Federal law enforcement agencies. The primary mission of this task force is to combat fentanyl related crimes and opioid overdoses by targeting the supply chain of individuals and criminal organizations responsible for the sales of these drugs into Ventura County. In addition, the task force works to identify new trends of abuse among the younger population and educate the community at large on the lethal danger of this epidemic.

VC FOCUS has partnered with Ventura County Behavioral Health as an active member of the County Opioid Abuse Suppression Taskforce (COAST) in a campaign to reduce overdoses and educate the public about the dangers of opioids and other drugs. Comprehensive information can be found at www.VenturaCountyResponds.org.

The public may contact investigators from VC FOCUS at (805) 383-8700 or VCFOCUS@ventura.org with additional information about this case, or any other information related to narcotics.

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: Ventura County Sheriff's Office