August 13, 2023 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on August 8, 2023, the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) concluded an investigation into Demitri Ruybalid who was involved in the sales of illegal narcotics to residents of Ventura County.

During the investigation, detectives developed information that Ruybalid was using various social media accounts to advertise sales of counterfeit M30 (Oxycodone) pills that contained fentanyl. Counterfeit M-30 pills are highly abused and often contribute to fatal and non-fatal overdoses within Ventura County. The pills look identical to legitimate medications and are mixed with fentanyl. As little as 2mg of fentanyl is considered to be a lethal dose of this deadly drug. Additionally, detectives learned Ruybalid had an outstanding Ventura County warrant for his arrest on an unrelated case.

On August 8, 2023, a VC FOCUS detective utilized an undercover social media account to contact Ruybalid, who then offered to sell the detective the fentanyl-based pills. Detectives set up surveillance in the area of 1000 S. Westlake Blvd. and identified Ruybalid when he entered the parking lot. Ruybalid informed the detective he was in the area and ready to conduct the drug sale when he was quickly detained and arrested for the outstanding warrant.  During a search of Ruybalid’s vehicle, detectives located 150 counterfeit M30 pills, 7 grams of cocaine, 2 grams of powdered fentanyl, and 25 Xanax pills all packaged for sales.

Ruybalid was booked into the Ventura County Pre Trial-Detention Facility for 11351 HS- Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance, 11352 HS- Transportation of a Controlled Substance and the warrant. Ruybalid posted bail on the charges and is due back in Ventura County Superior Court on August 23, 2023, for his arraignment.  

Social media has become an increasingly popular method for drug dealers to advertise the sale of narcotics. They use these sites to increase the number of people they can reach, and it also allows them to develop a customer base outside of the region they reside in. Ventura County law enforcement agencies would like to remind the community that this is not a legitimate way to obtain prescribed medications as these illicit pills being sold are often counterfeit and contain fentanyl and other dangerous substances. All prescribed medications should only be obtained through licensed medical professionals and pharmacies.

Nature of Incident: Social Media Related Narcotics Arrest

Report Number: 23-101884

Location: 1000 block of S. Westlake Boulevard- Westlake Village

Date & Time: August 8, 2023 @ 6:30PM

Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS)

The Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) is a task force made up of all Ventura County regional law enforcement agencies. The primary mission of this partnership 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