Nature of Incident: Narcotics Arrests
Report Number: 21-121699
Location: 400 Block of Laurel Street, City of Oxnard
9000 Block of Koonce Drive, Spring Valley
200 Block of Union Place, City of Los Angeles
8000 Block of Caminito De Pizza, San Diego
Date & Time: 11/23/2021 @ 1:20 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team, Ventura County Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit
(S)uspects City of Residence Age
(S) Michael Wilson Oxnard, CA 54
(S) Cindy Escobedo Spring Valley, CA 29
(S) Jonathan Leon Tijuana Mexico/ Los Angeles 24
(S) Juan Hernandez San Diego, CA 25
Narrative:
Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team targeted the drug trafficking activities of Oxnard resident Michael Wilson. During this three-month investigation, Detectives learned Wilson was working within a larger drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for the distribution of bulk quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription medications to residents of Ventura County. Investigators learned this organization was responsible for the smuggling of bulk quantities of narcotics from Mexico into the United States using the southwest border. Once in the United States, the narcotics were then transported and stored in a safe house ran and operated by Juan Hernandez. Hernandez utilized drug couriers, such as Jonathan Leon, to transport and distribute the narcotics to other co-conspirators such as Michael Wilson in Ventura County. This organization utilized drug couriers such as Cindy Escobedo to also transport drug proceeds ultimately destined for Mexico.
During this investigation, Ventura County Sheriff’s Detectives, with the assistance of investigators from the San Diego area, served several search warrants in the cities of Oxnard, Los Angeles, and San Diego. In total, Detectives seized approximately 22 pounds of methamphetamine, 1 pound of brown heroin, hundreds of Farmapram (Xanax) pills, five rifles, two handguns, and approximately $32,000.00 of suspected drug proceeds. The estimated street value of the narcotics seized is approximately $500,000.
Based on the investigation, Michael Wilson, Cindy Escobedo, and Jonathan Leon were arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on various narcotics charges. Additional arrests are pending.
Prepared by: Sergeant Odilon Malagon
News Release Date: 12/02/2021
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Meagan Smiley 805-383-8728
Approved by: Captain Brian Slominski