Narcotics Sales Arrest 

July 17, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on July 11, 2024, the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) concluded a major narcotics investigation in the San Gabriel Valley which had direct ties to drugs being sold in Ventura County.

The investigation began in April 2024, with an investigation and arrest by VC FOCUS in the city of Oxnard. Through diligent follow up investigation, detectives were able to determine the source of supply for this drug dealer was Christian Tran of Temple City. Over the next several months, detectives conducted multiple surveillance operations and confirmed that Tran was actively selling large amounts of narcotics.

On July 11, 2024, detectives conducted surveillance on Tran and arrested him as he left his residence. Detectives then served search warrants at multiple locations in Temple City, El Monte, San Gabriel, Irwindale and Rosemead.  Detectives seized almost 2 kilograms of fentanyl, over 4 lbs. of Methamphetamine, 18,000 counterfeit M30 pills containing fentanyl, 734 Adderall pills, MDMA and over 150 lbs. of marijuana, Psylocibin Mushrooms and Butane Honey Oil. Detectives also seized 4 illegally possessed handguns and U.S. currency derived from drug sales.  

Tran was arrested for a variety of narcotics and firearms charges including Possession for Sales of Controlled Substances, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Sales of Controlled Substances. Tran was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility, but later posted bail and was released. His arraignment is set for July 25, 2024, in Ventura County Superior Court. 

Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. As little as 2 Milligrams of fentanyl is considered to be a lethal dose of this deadly drug. Counterfeit M-30 (Oxycodone) pills are highly abused and often contribute to fatal and non-fatal overdoses within Ventura County. These counterfeit pills are mass produced by drug cartels and sold throughout the United States for large profits. The pills look identical to legitimate medications and are mixed with fentanyl. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) estimates that six out of every ten pills seized by law enforcement agencies across the United States are counterfeit and contain fentanyl which make them extremely dangerous to the community

VC FOCUS is a task force made up of Ventura County regional law enforcement agencies, the California Highway Patrol, and federal law enforcement partners. 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 Overdose Awareness & Solutions Team (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 the 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 a $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