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Fillmore Raids Net 9 Arrests for Narcotics Trafficking, Weapons Possession
 (l-r) (top row) Gerardo Vargas, Enrique Navarette, Osvaldo Medina, (middle row) Gilberto Vargas, Maria Vargas, Raul Hernandez, (bottom row) Gilberto Gomez, Alfred Estrada, Jessie Rodriguez. By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Thursday, October 6th, 2016
On September 28th, 2016, investigators concluded a month long investigation into a gang-related conspiracy to sell methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin throughout Ventura County. As a result of the investigation, nine subjects were arrested for various charges, including narcotics and weapons related offenses. In September of 2016, investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oxnard Police Department learned that Gerardo Vargas, a Fillmore gang member with Mexican Mafia ties, and Alfred Estrada, a Ventura gang member, were involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin for the benefit of the Mexican Mafia. Investigators discovered Vargas sold the drugs to lower-level drug dealers, who sold the drugs to drug users in Ventura County. As a result of the information discovered during the investigation, detectives authored several search warrants for locations in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. During the execution of those search warrants, investigators seized nearly four pounds of methamphetamine, over one pound of cocaine, over four ounces of heroin, four firearms, including two assault weapons, and two ballistic vests. The following arrests were made during the investigation: • Gerardo Vargas – Conspiracy, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, sale of a controlled substance, possession for sale of a controlled substance and participation in a street gang. • Enrique Navarette – Conspiracy, possession for sale of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. • Osvaldo Medina – Conspiracy and transportation/sale of a controlled substance. • Gilberto Vargas – Possession for sale of a controlled substance. • Maria Vargas – Possession for sale of a controlled substance. • Raul Hernandez – Conspiracy • Gilberto Gomez – Conspiracy and transportation/sale of a controlled substance • Alfred Estrada – Conspiracy, possession for sale of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and participation in a street gang. • Jessie Rodriguez – Conspiracy and transportation/sale of a controlled substance. All of the subjects were booked at the Main Jail and are awaiting further criminal proceedings in the Ventura County Superior Court. Nature of Incident: Gang Members Arrested for Narcotics Trafficking / Weapons Possession |
