– by F. Scott Faulkner
VENTURA COUNTY, CA — January 17, 2026 — A two-month narcotics investigation targeting a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization ended with an arrest and the seizure of roughly 350 pounds of methamphetamine and multiple firearms after detectives located a Southern California “safe house” used to store and distribute the drug into Ventura County and beyond.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Odilon Malagon, “the
organization was believed to be smuggling methamphetamine into the United States across the
Southwest border, then moving the narcotics into stash locations for later distribution throughout
California.”
In the course of their investigation, detectives identified Sergio Sanchez, 36, of Moreno Valley,
as “a U.S.-based trafficker” allegedly responsible for operating a safe house and coordinating the
storage and delivery of bulk methamphetamine shipments to co-conspirators in Ventura County.
Detectives “developed probable cause” and obtained search warrants for Sanchez, his residence
and related vehicles. Those warrants were served on December 17th , 2025, during the course of
which Sanchez was “found with a loaded firearm.” The search of the residence led to the
discovering of “approximately 350 pounds of methamphetamine, five rifles, two handguns,
ammunition, U.S. currency and other evidence believed to be tied to drug sales.”
Sanchez was transported to Ventura County Jail; on January 14th , he was charged with multiple
felonies, including possession for sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled
substance with a loaded firearm, possession of an assault weapon, and carrying a concealed
weapon.
