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Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Wednesday March 26th, 2025 :: 04:58 p.m. PDT

Community

Media Release: Suspects Arrested in Drug Delivery Service

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                                                                                                                                                 
 
Narrative:
 
On 03/25/2025, 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.
 
Prepared by: Detective Jonathan Schnereger  
News Release Date: 03/26/2025  
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Jonathan Schnereger (805) 654-2360, jonathan.schnereger@ventura.org  
Approved by:
 
 
Booking Photo Release:
Captain Greg Gibson
 
 YES     NO  
 
           
 
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $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).
 

Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511

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