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