Narcotics Sales Arrest 

October 15, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on October 9, 2024, the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) concluded an investigation with the arrests of Brandon Decervens and Stephen Castel who were responsible for selling legitimate pharmaceutical pills and other illegal drugs such as methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin to Ventura County residents.

Several months ago, VC FOCUS learned that Decervens was selling both legitimate and illicit narcotics. This information was confirmed through surveillance when detectives followed Decervens and observed him conducting “street deals”. Further investigation led detectives to believe that Decervens’ roommate, Castel, was also likely involved in these drug sales through the utilization of social media platforms Telegram and Signal.

On October 9, 2024, detectives detained Decervens when he left his building complex in Encino and served a search warrant at his apartment. Detectives also detained Castel inside the residence as he attempted to destroy several large bags of narcotics. Detectives searched the residence and seized 5,794 Xanax pills, approximately ¼ lb. of methamphetamine, 2 ounces of fentanyl, 2 ounces of heroin and an assortment of other drugs including cocaine, MDMA, Ketamine and other legitimate pharmaceutical pills.

Decervens and Castel were arrested for a variety of drug charges including Possession for Sales of Controlled Substances, Sales of Controlled Substances, Sales of a Specified Drug and Conspiracy. Both subjects were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Decervens was released after posting bail and is scheduled for arraignment on October 24, 2024. Castel remains in custody on $50,000 bail after his first court appearance on October 11, 2024. 

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