| Nature of Incident: |
Major Methamphetamine Seizure |
| Report Number: |
23-106761 |
| Location: |
900 Block of Ventura Street, Fillmore CA
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| Date & Time: |
8/18/2023 @ 7:45 PM |
| Unit(s) Responsible: |
Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT)
Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Unit (VC FOCUS)
Fillmore Police Department
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| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence
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Age |
(S) Erick Montoya
|
Downey, California
|
32
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| |
Detectives assigned to the Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT) concluded their investigation into a Mexico based drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation of bulk quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Investigators learned this organization smuggled the methamphetamine into the United States in liquid form. Once inside the United States, the methamphetamine was converted from a liquid form to a solid “crystal” form. Once crystalized, the methamphetamine was then transported in bulk by drug couriers to wholesale customers located in the greater Los Angeles area, including Ventura County.
On August 18, 2023, VCAT investigators developed information which indicated a large shipment of methamphetamine was destined for the city of Fillmore. During this operation, investigators observed Downey resident, Erick Montoya in the McDonald’s parking lot in the 900 Block of Ventura Street, Fillmore. Montoya was associated with a blue Honda Sport Utility Vehicle. Investigators developed probable cause to believe Montoya was in possession of methamphetamine. Montoya was contacted and detained at the scene. A Fillmore Police K-9 was used to conduct a sniff search of Montoya’s vehicle. The K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search, investigators located approximately 56 pounds of methamphetamine inside a cardboard box in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. In addition, investigators also located several thousand dollars of suspected drug proceeds, multiple cellular telephones and several grams of cocaine. Erick Montoya was transported and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The street value of the seized narcotics is estimated at an excess of $1.2 million dollars. This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for filing.
VCAT is a task force made up of Ventura County regional law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). The primary mission of this partnership is to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations responsible for the introduction of bulk quantities of dangerous narcotics into Ventura County.
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| Prepared by: |
Sergeant Odilon Malagon |
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| News Release Date: |
8/23/2023 |
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| Media Follow-Up Contact: |
Detective H. Contreras
Detective J. White
805-383-8700
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Approved by:
Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Ron Chips
YES NO |
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