A month-long investigation into illegal gunfire and black-market weapon sales culminated in a high-stakes police operation in Moorpark this January. Detectives from the Camarillo and Moorpark Special Enforcement Units joined forces to dismantle what appears to be a local hub for unregistered and stolen firearms. The investigation, which began in October 2025 following reports of a negligent shooting from a vehicle, ended with four members of the Morales family behind bars.
Tactical Breaches and High Risk Stops
The takedown began at 6:30 a.m. on January 9, 2026, when tactical units conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the primary suspect, 30 year old Juan Morales. While Juan was taken into custody without incident, his passenger, 23 year old Jesus Morales, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Simultaneously, a separate team of investigators arrived at the family’s residence on Conejo Mesa Street to serve a search warrant.
The morning took a dramatic turn when 20 year old Diego Morales refused to open the front door, attempting to stall the investigation. Detectives were forced to use a mechanical breaching tool to smash through the entrance and secure the home. Diego was quickly arrested for resisting and delaying the investigation. Once inside, deputies also arrested 53 year old Juan Morales Sr. after discovering he was in possession of stolen property and had participated in the illegal transfer of a handgun.
A Cache of Untraceable Weapons
The search of the property revealed a dangerous collection of illicit armaments that detectives say were being kept outside of legal channels. Among the items seized was the original firearm used in the October shooting, along with a "ghost gun"—a Glock-style pistol manufactured without a serial number to avoid government tracking. The haul also included a stolen 1911-style pistol, an unregistered handgun, a 30-round high-capacity magazine, and several boxes of assorted ammunition.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office noted that the discovery of a high-capacity magazine and untraceable ghost guns is a significant concern for regional public safety. All four men were transported to the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility, where they face a variety of felony charges. This operation is part of a broader crackdown on illegal weapon manufacturing in Ventura County, with officials urging residents to use the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line to report any knowledge of unregistered firearms in their neighborhoods.