News Release
During the month of September 2023, the Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) assisted the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) with an investigation into the alleged narcotic sales committed by Daniel Ruiz, a 35 year-old Oxnard resident.
Ruiz is a documented Oxnard criminal street gang member who is prohibited from owning and/or possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction of illegally possessing a firearm.
Once DEU assumed control of the investigation, detectives gathered sufficient evidence allowing them to secure a search warrant for Ruiz and his residence. With the assistance of the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), detectives located and detained Ruiz allowing for detectives to execute the search warrant at Ruiz’s residence, located in the 1900 block of Ginger Street in the city of Oxnard.
During the search of the residence, detectives located an unregistered loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, a large quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl possessed for sales, over 600 “M30” fentanyl pills, and a significant amount of U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from drug sales. Ruiz was booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Pretrial Detention Facility for narcotic sales and gun related charges.
The amount of suspected fentanyl seized allows for the consumption of over 1,200 doses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, and 50 times more potent than heroin as a painkiller.”
The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit is composed of detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officer(s) by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officer(s) are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge with the duties of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.
The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.
