Eight Men Arrested in Connection with Widescale Narcotics Delivery Service in Southland

A total of eight individuals have been taken into custody in relation to a large-scale narcotics delivery service operating in parts of the Southland region. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team detectives initiated an investigation into the delivery service in July, covering areas in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, according to a press release.

After conducting a thorough five-month investigation, authorities discovered that a well-organized “transnational drug trafficking organization” was utilizing an intricate network of drivers and dispatchers to supply residents of Ventura County with cocaine.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office officials stated that these drug trafficking organizations are designed to maximize their reach and sell drugs to as many customers as possible across a wide geographical area.

Law enforcement authorities revealed that drug traffickers often structure their operations with a hierarchical chain of command, ranging from delivery drivers to the highest-ranking individual known as the “Cell Head.”

The initial findings of the investigation unveiled the identities of key individuals involved in the organization. Joel Cruz Ayala, 40, and Elmer Ayala-Ayala, 28, both residents of Bakersfield, were identified as full-time dispatchers for the organization. Additionally, Luis Cruz, 33, from Panorama City, was recognized as the dispatch house manager responsible for direct communication with high-ranking members of the organization in El Salvador.

During the investigation, multiple drivers were observed delivering drugs to numerous customers throughout Ventura County. Investigators determined that this delivery system facilitated the distribution of cocaine to hundreds of residents on a daily basis.

As a result of search warrants executed on Thursday at various residences in Panorama City and North Hills, five drivers were arrested. The arrested individuals were identified as Wilfredo Mauricio Benavides Castillo, 24, of North Hills; Lisandro Moreno, 22, of Panorama City; Kevin Bonilla, 20, of Panorama City; Jose Samuel Ayala Hernandez, 40, of North Hills; and Noel Ovidio Cruz Alfaro, 31, of Panorama City. Deputies discovered a significant quantity of pre-packaged cocaine in possession of each of these individuals, indicating their involvement in the drug delivery operation.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Joel Cruz, Elmer Ayala-Ayala, and Luis Cruz at different locations in Bakersfield. Law enforcement officials stated that a substantial amount of evidence was recovered, exposing the extensive scope of the transnational drug trafficking organization. The evidence included money transfers to higher-ranking members of the organization in El Salvador.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to fully dismantling the narcotics delivery system and acknowledges that while this recent operation has greatly disrupted the organization, their work is far from over.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that while they recognize the public health threat posed by the ongoing opioid crisis, they remain vigilant in combating the damage caused by all forms of illegal narcotics, including cocaine.

In addition to the arrest of the eight individuals, law enforcement authorities seized over five pounds of cocaine, five firearms, and a significant amount of suspected drug proceeds.