A Van Nuys man has been handed a 15-year prison sentence for running a massive drug operation. Jose Trinidad Bueno Garcia was the leader of a ring that flooded Ventura County with fentanyl.
Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess fentanyl for sale. He admitted that his trafficking organization moved more than four kilograms of the deadly synthetic opioid.
The length of the sentence was heavily influenced by Proposition 36. This new law increased penalties for drug crimes based on the weight of the narcotics involved.
Out of his 15-year term, 13 years were specifically added due to these new sentencing enhancements. This marks one of the first major applications of the law in Ventura County.
The investigation into Garcia’s group began in May 2024. Detectives discovered the organization was sourcing large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Mexico.
On October 1, 2025, investigators raided Garcia’s home in Van Nuys. They seized over 3,500 grams of fentanyl and more than $32,000 in cash.
In total, the task force seized more than 6,500 grams of fentanyl across multiple locations. Prosecutors estimate this is equivalent to roughly 325,000 lethal doses.
Deputy District Attorney Devin Mirchi prosecuted the case. He stated that the sentence reflects the extreme danger Garcia posed to the community.
The crackdown has also led to several other arrests. Additional defendants connected to the ring are scheduled for a court hearing on January 29, 2026.
Local officials hope this sentence sends a powerful message to traffickers. They remain focused on dismantling the networks that bring fentanyl into the region.