Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team targeted the drug trafficking activities of Moorpark resident Jesus Gonzalez. During this investigation, Detectives learned Gonzalez was working within a larger drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of bulk quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl to Ventura County.
Investigators learned this organization was responsible for the smuggling of bulk quantities of narcotics from Mexico into the United States using the San Ysidro port of entry. Once in the United States, the narcotics were then transported and stored in automotive repair shops the City of Ontario which were ran and operated by Fernando Cerda and Mario Chaidez. From the shops, Fernando Cerda and Mario Chaidez distributed the narcotics to other co-conspirators to include Jesus Gonzalez in Ventura County. Gonzalez would then supply other street level drug dealers and drug users in Moorpark and Ventura County.
On November 21, 2021, Detectives developed information which indicated Cerda and Gonzalez were coordinating the sale and delivery of a bulk quantity of methamphetamine to the City of Moorpark. Detectives conducted surveillance and detained Gonzalez, Cerda and Chaidez while at the automotive repair shop in the City of Ontario.
Detectives served a multi-location search warrant in the cities of Moorpark, Ontario and La Habra all connected to the organization. The search of the automotive repair shops yielded methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and suspected fentanyl. The search of Cerda’s and Gonzalez’ residence yielded additional evidence of narcotics sales.
In total, detectives seized approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 pounds heroin, 5 pounds of suspected fentanyl, 2 pounds of cocaine, a stolen handgun, and several thousand dollars of suspected drug proceeds. The estimated street value of the narcotics seized is approximately 1 million dollars.
Based on the investigation, Jesus Gonzalez, Fernando Cerda Mario Chaidez were arrested and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff Pre-Trial Detention Facility on various narcotics charges. Their bail was set at $500,000 pending court proceedings.
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