OXNARD, Calif. — Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) have seized a massive haul of illicit narcotics, including seven pounds of fentanyl, during a follow-up search warrant at a South L Street property previously targeted in a multi-agency drug bust.
The secondary search warrant was executed on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m.
The discovery comes just one day after SEU officers, supported by the Neighborhood Policing Team, K9 Unit, Drone Unit, and Patrol Services, served an initial warrant on August 12 in the 1100 block of South L Street. That initial raid resulted in the arrest of seven Oxnard residents: Max Castro (46), Alexis Aguilera (25), Raymond Castillo (36), Azalea Pedro (30), Erica Pedro (41), Aaron Gomez (40), and Frances Reyes (51) on various outstanding warrants and narcotics charges.
K9 Gator Assists in Major Narcotics Discovery
Continuing their investigation into the South L Street operation, SEU officers returned to the location with a secondary search warrant on August 13 to conduct a deeper forensic search of the premises.
To locate concealed contraband, Oxnard detectives enlisted aid from regional law enforcement partners, bringing in K9 Gator from the Port Hueneme Police Department. K9 Gator alerted officers to hidden narcotics caches inside the structure.
During the search, officers recovered:
- 7 pounds of Fentanyl
- 1 pound of Methamphetamine
- $1,000 in U.S. Currency (seized as suspected drug proceeds)
The seizure of seven pounds of fentanyl represents a critical public safety interception, removing thousands of potentially lethal doses from local streets.
Following the August 12 raid, Oxnard City Code Compliance yellow-tagged the home due to severe municipal violations, scheduling a follow-up inspection to red-tag and condemn the property. Oxnard Animal Control also seized a sick animal from the residence during the initial entry.
"On 8/12/2026, Officers from the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) served a narcotics search warrant in the 1100 block of South L Street. On 8/13/2026, SEU Officers continued their investigation and served an additional search warrant," the Oxnard Police Department detailed in an updated news release prepared by Sergeant Jason Radcliffe.
"With assistance from Port Hueneme Police Department’s K9 Gator, officers located seven pounds of fentanyl, one pound of methamphetamine, and a thousand dollars in U.S. currency," police officials confirmed.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Safety
The multi-day operation stems from an intelligence-gathering inquiry launched in late June 2026 into suspected drug sales operating out of the residential neighborhood.
Fentanyl remains one of the most dangerous illicit substances confronting regional public safety agencies due to its extreme potency and high risk of fatal overdose. According to narcotics detectives, a single pound of pure fentanyl contains enough lethal doses to pose a catastrophic threat to an entire municipality.
The discovery of seven full pounds hidden within a single residential neighborhood highlights the intense scope of drug distribution activities previously taking place on South L Street. Law enforcement officials noted that inter-agency cooperation, such as deploying specialized detection dogs like Port Hueneme's K9 Gator, is vital when searching properties where suspects have intentionally concealed large volumes of narcotics behind false walls, floorboards, or hidden storage compartments.
The ongoing criminal case will be submitted to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office for formal felony filing determinations against the suspects involved.
The Oxnard Police Department reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting local drug networks and addressing properties that degrade community health and safety.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case or ongoing drug activity in the area is urged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600 or submit a tip online via oxnardpd.org by clicking "Report Suspicious Activity." Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or online at venturacountycrimestoppers.org.