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Countywide – Arrests Made in Gang-Related Narcotics Trafficking Organization

Nature of Incident: Gang related narcotics trafficking organization / arrests

Report Number: 18-167711

Location: Cities of Moorpark, Simi Valley, Saticoy / Ventura County and Calipatria

State Prison

Date & Time: December 6th, 2018 at 0730 hours

Unit(s) Responsible: Moorpark Investigations Bureau, Special Crimes Unit, Sheriff’s Narcotics

Investigations Bureau, East Valley Investigations Bureau, Camarillo

Investigations Bureau, Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Sheriff’s SWAT Team.

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

(A) Edwin Mora     Calipatria State Prison    34

(A) Ricardo Ruiz     Moorpark     23

(A) Oscar Bautista     Simi Valley     27

(A) Gabriel Garcia      Moorpark     27

(A) Maxine Rodriguez       Simi Valley     51

(A) Alana Mora    Simi Valley     37

(A) Nicholas Lerma     Moorpark    21

(A) Rogelio Camacho     Saticoy    27

(A) Adam Valdez     Santa Maria    43

(A) Ilse Mena    Santa Maria    24

(A) Alejandro Garcia     Santa Paula    42

(A) Fernando Martinez   Simi Valley   25

(A) Alberto Angeles     Moorpark     29

(A) Nestor Cardenas      Moorpark    32

(A) Anthony Alarcon     Oxnard     28

Narrative:

Over the past year, the Moorpark Police Department along with other Sheriff’s Office investigative

units have been investigating a gang related drug trafficking organization operating in Ventura

County and being orchestrated from inmates within the California Department of Corrections. The

investigation led to the seizure of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, firearms, US

currency and the arrests of Ricardo Ruiz, Oscar Bautista, Gabriel Garcia, Maxine Rodriguez,

Alana Mora, Nicholas Lerma, Rogelio Camacho, Adam Valdez, Ilse Mena, Alejandro Garcia,

Fernando Martinez, Alberto Angeles, Nestor Cardenas and Anthony Alarcon. The arrest of Edwin

Mora is pending.

In late 2017, the Moorpark Investigations Bureau received information that narcotics were being

distributed and sold by gang members in and around Moorpark. An investigation began and it

was determined the trafficking of narcotics was being organized and directed by Edwin Mora from

a California prison. Mora was organizing shipments of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin

into Ventura County from prison. The narcotics were then sold by gang members in smaller

quantities to street level dealers and narcotics users.

On December 6, 2018 Investigators executed search warrants at 10 different locations within

Moorpark, Simi Valley, Saticoy and in the Calipatria State Prison resulting in the seizure of

narcotics including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, handguns, ammunition,

evidence related to narcotics trafficking and a large sum of U.S. currency.

Ricardo Ruiz was arrested for conspiracy to distribute narcotics, possessing narcotics for sale,

sales of a controlled substance and gang allegations. Oscar Bautista was arrested for conspiracy

to distribute narcotics, possessing narcotics for sale, sale of a controlled substance and gang

allegations. Gabriel Garcia was arrested for possession of firearm/illegal transfer of a firearm with

gang allegations. Maxine Rodriguez was arrested for conspiracy to distribute narcotics with a

gang allegation. Alana Mora was arrested for conspiracy to distribute narcotics with a gang

allegation. Nicholas Lerma was arrested for conspiracy to distribute narcotics with a gang

allegation. Rogelio Camacho was arrested for possession of a firearm and illegal transfer of a

firearm with a gang allegation. Adam Valdez was arrested for conspiracy to distribute narcotics

and possession for sale of narcotics with a gang allegation. Ilse Mena was arrested for

possession of narcotics for sale and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Alejandro Garcia was

arrested for possession of narcotics for sale, conspiracy to distribute narcotics with a gang

allegation. Fernando Martinez was arrested for possession of narcotics. Alberto Angeles was

arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Nestor Cardenas was arrested

for possession of narcotics and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Anthony

Alarcon was arrested for possession of narcotics for sale. It is anticipated Edwin Mora will be

arrested for conspiracy to distribute narcotics with a gang allegation. This investigation is

continuing and more arrests are anticipated.

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Kevin Lynch

News Release Date: December 6th, 2018

Media Follow-Up Contact: Captain Garo Kuredjian

805-797-6322

Approved by: Captain John Reilly