Full Notification

Nature of Incident: The Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT) Participates in Project Deliverance—the Largest Coordinated U.S. Law Enforcement Strike Against Mexican-based Drug Trafficking Organizations to date

Location: Various Locations in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties

Date & Time: June 9, 2010

Agencies Responsible: VCAT, Downey PD, CHP, DEA, LA HIDTA, LA IMPACT, and FBI


Suspects Age City of Residence
Petra Rocha Duran Cabrera 46 Moreno Valley
Emilio Delgado 43 Whittier
Jose Luis Lopez 56 Maywood
Angela Orozco-Torres 41 Compton
Leonardo Davila 26 Los Angeles
Salvador Godinez 42 Lynwood
Joaquin Verduzco 66 Lynwood
Fernando Sicairos 60 Los Angeles
Robert Rodriguez 30 El Monte
Jorge Arrellano Valdez 26 Oxnard
Maria Esmeralda Peneloza De Medina 25 Oxnard
Paulino Vargas 22 Oxnard

Narrative:

On Wednesday, June 9, 2010, narcotics officers from the Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT) participated in Project Deliverance, a coordinated nationwide strike against Mexican-based drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating within the United States. These organizations bring violence and large quantities of dangerous drugs into our local communities.

The early morning raids associated with Project Deliverance took place in several locations across the U.S., including in Ventura County.

A total of 12 search warrants were served and 12 suspects were arrested at several locations in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties. For this operation alone, the seizures included 28.2 pounds of heroin, 15 pounds of methamphetamine, three handguns, and several thousand dollars in cash. Additionally, six drug endangered children were taken into protective custody.

VCAT’s involvement related to Mexican-based DTOs began with a street level investigation in December 2006. To date, the total amount of illicit drugs seized includes 620 pounds of heroin (a record amount) and 102 pounds of methamphetamine. The June 9th seizures are part of a larger ongoing VCAT operation that includes disrupting the heroin distribution ring associated with drug kingpin Jose Antonio Medina, also known as “Don Pepe.” Medina was recently arrested by Mexican officials on March 24 of this year.

VCAT is a countywide grant-supported narcotics enforcement team that was established in 1999. It is currently comprised of members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Oxnard Police Department, and Simi Valley Police Department. VCAT also works closely with other state and federal agencies such as BNE (Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement), the FBI, and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).


Officer Preparing Release: Captain Ross Bonfiglio, Sheriff’s PIO (805) 654-2417
[email protected]

Follow-up Contact: Captain Ross Bonfiglio, Sheriff’s PIO (805) 654-2417
[email protected]

Approved By: Captain O’Hanlon

Date of Release: June 10, 2010