Full Notification

Nature of Incident:
Firearm, Cash, and Bulk Narcotics Seized

Report Number:
25-129156

Location(s):
Thousand Oaks

Date & Time:
October 10, 2025

Unit(s) Responsible:
Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU), East County Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), and Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT)
 

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age

(S) Alejandro Duarte
Northridge
23

(S) Brian Lopez-Reyes
Northridge
25
 
(S) Anthony Garcia // Northridge // 18

Narrative:
In August 2025, detectives from the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) launched an investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) operating in Thousand Oaks and the surrounding areas. Over the course of the investigation, detectives identified multiple suspects, vehicles, and a residence tied to large-scale narcotics trafficking.
 
On October 9, 2025, detectives arrested three residents of Northridge and served a search warrant on multiple vehicles and a residence. During the operation, investigators recovered an unserialized, unregistered handgun with ammunition, approximately $8,000 in cash, and large quantities of illegal drugs packaged for distribution.
 
The seizure included (weights are approximate):
 
2.9 pounds of cocaine
 
2.27 pounds of marijuana (cannabis)
 
2.07 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms (psilocybin) 940 gross grams
 
2.2 ounces of methamphetamine
 
1 ounce of ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride)
 
12 grams (0.4 ounces) of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
 
Approximately 9,000 alprazolam pills
 
547 vape cartridges containing THC
 
Large quantity of candy infused with THC and psilocybin
 
Significant amount of nitrous oxide (N₂O)
 
In addition to narcotics, investigators located extensive sales-related paraphernalia, including electronic scales, packaging materials, heat-sealing machines, money-counting machines, and money wraps, further confirming the suspect's involvement in large-scale drug trafficking and distribution.
 
Duarte, Lopez-Reyes, and Garcia were arrested for possession of controlled substances for sale, possession of marijuana for sale, and conspiracy. In addition, Duarte faces an additional charge for the unlawful transfer of a firearm. All three suspects were booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility and remain in custody with bail set at $500,000 each.
 
Drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) pose a serious danger to communities by distributing highly addictive and dangerous narcotics. Beyond the immediate health risks associated with drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and alprazolam, DTOs are increasingly marketing their products in forms designed to entice children and young people. Items such as flavored THC vape cartridges, candy infused with THC and psilocybin, and brightly packaged narcotics disguise the severity of the drugs and create the false impression that these substances are harmless.
 
This type of deliberate targeting not only fuels addiction at a young age but also places families, schools, and neighborhoods at greater risk. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to dismantling DTOs, seizing illegal narcotics before they reach the streets, and protecting the community from organizations that prey on its most vulnerable members.
 
DEU consists of eight detectives dedicated to protecting East County communities through active investigations of illegal activities. If you have any information about criminal activity in the East County areas within the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, please contact Detective Jonathan San Jose at 805-371-8388.    
 
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office thanks the public for their ongoing support and diligence in providing information to help solve crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.
 
Join us in the fight against crime by following us on “X” @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
 
 
Prepared by: 
Sergeant Jonathan James
 
News Release Date:
10/10/2025
 
Media Follow-Up Contact:
Deputy Anthony Israel
805-630-1287
 
Approved by: Captain James Sullivan 
 
Booking Photo Release:
 
YES     NO  
 
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information that 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).