Simi Valley, CA — In the early morning hours of Thursday, August 7, 2025, the Simi Valley Police Department's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), with support from the SVPD SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), Drone Team, Police K-9 Unit, Crime Scene Investigators, Property Technicians, and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Ventura Office and Special Response Team (SRT), executed a coordinated multi-location narcotics-related search warrant in the San Fernando Valley.
Search warrants were served at the following locations:
- A residence in the 7800 block of Morella Avenue, North Hollywood
- A residence in the 7400 block of De Celis Place, Van Nuys
- A business in the 9100 block of Reseda Boulevard, Northridge
- A business in the 7500 block of Lankershim Avenue, North Hollywood
Case Background
In March 2024, SVPD SIU-Narcotics Detectives received information regarding a highly sophisticated Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) suspected of operating across multiple jurisdictions, including Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino Counties. As the investigation progressed, detectives uncovered several vehicles associated with the DTO that were making multiple daily trips into the city of Simi Valley and surrounding areas, delivering large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. The frequency and scope of the operation raised significant concerns about the organization’s activity and operational presence in the area.
Following thousands of hours of surveillance, intelligence gathering, and interagency collaboration, Narcotics Detectives secured search warrants for four key locations believed to be tied to the DTO’s distribution network.
Arrests and Charges
As a result of the coordinated operation, five subjects were arrested and booked at the Ventura County Main Jail on multiple felony charges, including possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance for sale, and conspiracy:
- Jorge M. Chavez, 26-year-old male, North Hollywood
- Angel Omar Garcia, 30-year-old male, North Hollywood
- Arturo Julio Sanchez, 37-year-old male, North Hollywood
- Victor Manuel Correa, 22-year-old male, North Hollywood
- Jorge Valdivia, 26-year-old male, Van Nuys
All suspects were booked on the following charges:
- Health & Safety Code §11351 – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale
- Health & Safety Code §11352(a) – Sale/Transportation of a Controlled Substance
- Health & Safety Code §11378 – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale (Methamphetamine)
- Health & Safety Code §11379(a) – Sale/Transportation of Methamphetamine
- Penal Code §182 – Criminal Conspiracy
Evidence Recovered
Investigators recovered significant quantities of illegal narcotics totaling:
- 22 pounds of fentanyl
- 18.75 pounds of methamphetamine
- 4.5 pounds of heroin
- 12,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills (pressed fentanyl)
- 1 pound of cocaine
In addition, investigators seized digital scales, packaging materials consistent with drug trafficking, and $129,700 in U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from narcotics sales.
According to the DEA, a lethal dose of fentanyl is as little as 2 milligrams. The 22 pounds of fentanyl seized in this investigation represents approximately 5 million lethal doses. The total street value of all seized narcotics is estimated at $1,400,000.
For additional information contact: Sergeant Allegra 805-583-6919
