Nature of Incident:	Investigation Leads to Large Methamphetamine and Weapons Seizure
Report Number: Locations:	25-160442 11900 Block of Indian Street, Moreno Valley
Date & Time:	01/20/2026
Unit(s) Responsible:	Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT) and the Riverside County Sheriff’s, Moreno Valley Station-Special Enforcement Team (SET).
Suspect		City of Residence		Age
(S) Sergio Sanchez		Moreno Valley, CA		36

Narrative:
Members of the Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT) arrested a Moreno Valley man after a two-month long investigation which resulted in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and illegal firearms.

During this investigation, detectives targeted a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation and distribution of methamphetamine. Detectives believe the narcotics were smuggled into the United States using the Southwest border, to be stored in safe houses in Southern California, prior to distribution.  From these safe houses, the narcotics would then be disseminated throughout California, including Ventura County. 

Detectives identified Sergio Sanchez, as a U.S. based narcotics trafficker and safehouse operator, responsible for the safekeeping and delivery of methamphetamine to his co-conspirators, including residents of Ventura County. Detectives confirmed Sanchez resided in the 11900 Block of Indian Street, Moreno Valley, where he stored, packaged and delivered bulk shipments of methamphetamine. Based on probable cause developed during this investigation, detectives sought and obtained a search warrant for Sanchez, his residence, and associated vehicles. 

On December 17, 2025, VCAT Detectives, with the assistance of deputies from the Moreno Valley Station’s Special Enforcement Team (SET), detained Sanchez pursuant to the warrant.  During the initial contact, Sanchez was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. Detectives served the search warrant at Sanchez’s residence during which they located approximately 350 pounds of methamphetamine, five rifles, ammunition, two handguns, U.S. Currency, and additional evidence to support drug sales. Sanchez was arrested and released pending a case review by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. 

On January 14, 2026, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint on  Sanchez for violations of California Health and Safety Code 11378 [Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance] with a weight enhancement and armed allegations, two counts of California Health and Safety Code 11370.1 [Possession of a Controlled Substance with a Loaded Firearm], California Penal Code Section 30605 [Possession of an Assault Weapon, and California Penal Code Section 25400 [Carrying a Concealed Weapon]. Sanchez will undergo court proceedings in Ventura County.

Assistant Sheriff Victor Fazio stated, “This case is a great example of the impact that local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies can have when they work together to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.”

The Ventura County Combined Agency Team is comprised of investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the Oxnard Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigations, the California National Guard and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.  VCAT adheres to a multi-jurisdictional collaborative approach to reduce the impact of illicit drugs in Ventura County.  VCAT focuses on major and mid-level drug offenders and their organizations that operate and or conduct their illegal business ventures in Ventura County, and whose illegal activities negatively impact the residents of our county.

Prepared by:	Sergeant Odilon Malagon
News Release Date:	01/20/2026
Media Follow-Up Contact:	Detective Cory Woodward 805-383-8700
Approved by: Booking Photo Release:	Captain Matthew Young  YES     NO