Narrative:
On May 31, 2023, Deputies from the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit and Detention Services Classification Unit along with Detectives from the Ventura County Narcotics Unit concluded a three-month investigation into a San Bernardino County based narcotics delivery service, which was supplying Ventura County residents with various narcotics. As a result of the investigation, five members of the narcotics delivery service were arrested, over three and a half pounds of heroin, over 2800 counterfeit prescription pills that contain fentanyl, over three ounces of methamphetamine, over an ounce of cocaine, seven firearms and suspected drug proceeds were seized.
Background:
Drug trafficking organizations that operate, as this narcotics delivery service did, are structured to sell their drugs to as many customers as possible. These narcotics delivery services are typically made up of several components: (1) a cell head, who is the highest ranking member of the Drug Trafficking Organization within the United States, and who typically recruit and vet workers and arrange for deliveries of drugs and drug proceeds between Mexico and the United States; (2) dispatchers, who are responsible for coordinating customers’ incoming orders and dispatching drivers to deliver drugs to them; (3) stash house operators, who store and repackage drugs; (4) couriers, who are responsible for receiving incoming narcotics shipments and delivering proceeds to suppliers; (5) delivery drivers, who deliver narcotics to local customers; and, (6) the customer who either uses or resells a portion of their drugs to support their habit. Depending on the size and scope of the delivery service, some of these roles may overlap or be further compartmentalized.
Investigation:
In March 2023, detectives with the Ventura County Narcotics Street Team learned of a narcotics delivery service operating within Ventura County. The narcotics delivery service was said to be delivering various types of narcotics, including heroin and methamphetamine, to multiple customers from Thousand Oaks to Ojai every day.
An investigation was initiated which revealed Edgar Nunez, from Colton, was the head of the delivery service and acted as the full-time dispatcher. Nunez employed multiple delivery drivers including Irving Covarrubias Villa, Esteban Moran and Javier Cruz. During the investigation, it was learned Cruz was assigned to be the delivery driver for Ventura County residents. Investigators observed Cruz deliver drugs to multiple customers throughout Ventura County. The investigation revealed this narcotics delivery service was supplying nearly 100 separate residents of Ventura County. Villa and Moran were assigned to be the delivery drivers for western San Bernardino County. Additionally, Villa and Moran were also tasked with resupplying Cruz and transporting drug proceeds back to Nunez.
On May 31, 2023, pursuant to a search warrant, Nunez, Villa and Moran were taken into custody in public parking lots throughout San Bernardino County, while Cruz was taken into custody in Camarillo. Nunez was found to be in possession of a large sum of suspected drug proceeds. Villa was found to be in possession of over two and a half ounces of heroin and a small amount of suspected drug proceeds. Moran was found to be in possession of over two and a half ounces of heroin, a small supply of methamphetamine and a small amount of suspected drug proceeds. Cruz was found to be in possession of over two and a half ounces of heroin, over an ounce of methamphetamine, a small supply of cocaine and a small amount of suspected drug proceeds.
Search warrants were also served at their residences, along with an automotive service complex, believed to be a stash location. The search at Nunez’ residence resulted in multiple pounds of heroin, a small supply of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with a large amount of suspected drug proceeds. Additionally, Alexander Hernandez was located at Nunez’ residence and found to be associated with the narcotics delivery service. The search of the automotive service complex resulted in over two and a half ounces of heroin, over an ounce and a half of methamphetamine, over an ounce of cocaine, over 2800 counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and seven firearms. The search of Villa and Moran’s residence revealed they lived together, and their rent was paid by Alexander Hernandez.
Conclusion:
Detectives from the Ventura County Narcotics Unit will continue to seek and dismantle narcotic delivery services that believe operating in Ventura County is acceptable.
As a result of this investigation, more than 16,000 dosage units of heroin, 1000 dosage units of methamphetamine and 400 dosage units of cocaine were seized. Additionally, more than 2800 counterfeit prescription pills that contained the deadly drug fentanyl were seized. These pills appeared to be legitimate oxycodone pills, light blue in color and stamped with “M 30” but were actually fraudulent pills containing fentanyl.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, fraudulent prescription Oxycodone pills, such as the ones seized, typically contain .02 to 5.1 milligrams of fentanyl per tablet and a potentially lethal dose of Fentanyl is 2 milligrams.
The fraudulent prescription pills, along with the three and a half pounds of heroin seized in the investigation alone, is enough opiates to kill thousands of people.
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