Narcotics Investigation in Vista 

January 8, 2025 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that a nearly year-long narcotics investigation has ended with multiple arrests in Vista. 

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Sheriff's detectives executed a final operation aimed at apprehending the main targets of the investigation: street-level narcotics dealers. During Tuesday's operation, 11 people were arrested (seven on felony charges and four on misdemeanor charges). 

In May 2024, detectives from the Vista Sheriff's Station began a comprehensive investigation into street-level narcotics dealer activity in the City of Vista. In 2023 and 2024, Vista deputies responded to approximately 200 overdose incidents, resulting in a total of 60 overdose criminal cases.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office is committed to preventing easy access to dangerous street drugs, as well as decreasing the amount of overdose incidents in our communities.

This effort was supported by the Vista Sheriff's Station's Community Policing and Problem-Solving Unit (COPPS), as well as the Sheriff's Gang Enforcement Team and Sheriff's Narcotics and Gang Division. 

Throughout the investigation, multiple law enforcement operations were conducted, employing undercover deputies to make controlled purchases of narcotics, specifically methamphetamine and fentanyl. This resulted in eight successful controlled purchases.

We want to thank our partners at the San Diego County District Attorney's Office for their invaluable support, which led to arrest warrants being issued for seven street-level drug dealers. We also want to thank the City of Vista for their commitment to supporting the Sheriff's Office's efforts to keep the community safe.

Source & photos: San Diego County Sheriff’s Office