Ventura County deputies confiscated 92 pounds of drugs, hundreds of oxycodone pills, and 14 firearms during a December narcotics operation.
Five people connected to the alleged drug trafficking operation were arrested: Erik Gutierrez, 29; Armando Soto, 29; Jose Santoyo, 28; Manuel Sosa, 28; and Andrew Baz, 25.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office raided Soto’s Granada Hills home on December 4 after determining he was supplying cocaine and methamphetamine for the operation. Deputies found 25 pounds of methamphetamine, four handguns, a rifle, ammunition, and additional evidence of drug sales inside his home.
Simultaneously, another team raided Baz’s Van Nuys residence, where he allegedly stored narcotics and cash for the organization. Deputies recovered 67 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl, cocaine, promethazine, hundreds of oxycodone pills, six rifles, and three handguns.
A day after Soto and Baz were booked, Gutierrez, who allegedly led cocaine distribution to dealers and users, was arrested at his Oxnard home, where authorities also found more drugs.
On December 11, detectives arrested Santoyo and Sosa, both accused of delivering drugs across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Investigators have referred the case to the Ventura County and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Offices for formal charges.
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