Suspects Arrested in Drug Delivery Service 

March 27, 2025 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on March 25, 2025, two brothers were arrested for operating a drug delivery service that sold narcotics, marijuana, and nicotine vape devices to juveniles throughout Ventura County.

During the months of February and March 2025, detectives from the Headquarters Investigation Unit became aware of a drug delivery service that primarily targeted juveniles attending schools throughout Ventura County. The drug delivery service sold psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, and nicotine to juveniles. One of the juveniles was hospitalized after taking psilocybin sold from the delivery service.

The Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Unit (FOCUS) assisted Headquarters detectives with the investigation. During the investigation, detectives from both teams determined Enrique Benitez and Erick Benitez were selling illegal drugs, marijuana, and nicotine vape devices to students using a variety of social media and messaging platforms.

On 03/25/2025, a team consisting of detectives from FOCUS and Headquarters Investigations, as well as patrol units from the Headquarters Station served a search warrant in the 4800 block of South Rose Avenue. Approximately 20 grams of psilocybin, 88 marijuana vape devices, 10 nicotine vape devices, and a large volume of loose marijuana was seized. Additionally, over $2,000 in various denominations of US currency was seized along with a loaded P-80 non-serialized handgun commonly known as a "ghost gun".

Enrique Benitez was arrested for Sale of a Controlled Substance to a Minor, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, Possession of a Controlled Substance with a Firearm, Child Endangerment, Illegal Transfer of a Firearm, and Minor in Possession of Live Ammunition. Enrique’s bail was set at $250,000.

Erick Benitez was arrested for Sale of a Controlled Substance to a Minor, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, Possession of a Controlled Substance with a Firearm, and Child Endangerment. Erick’s bail was set at $250,000.

Nature of Incident:	Suspects Arrested in Drug Delivery Service
Report Number:	25-22568
Location:	4800 Block of S. Rose Avenue, Oxnard, California
Date & Time:	03/25/2025 @ 12:45 PM
Unit(s) Responsible:	Headquarters Detectives, Ventura County FOCUS, Headquarters Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent		City of Residence	Age
(S) Enrique Benitez		Oxnard	18
(S) Erick Benitez		Oxnard	26
(V) Juvenile Male

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to 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