Oxnard Police Department – Incident Press Release
On August 18, 2020, Oxnard Patrol Officers responded to an overdose investigation regarding a 16-year-old juvenile female found overdosing in an alley behind a residence located in the 1100 block of South J Street. The juvenile female later died at the hospital. Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) began an investigation into the overdose death and learned that the juvenile overdosed on Alprazolam, commonly referred to as Xanax. During the investigation, detectives identified Juan Ruiz, 22-year-old Oxnard resident, as being involved in the sales of Xanax and a known associate to the Juvenile victim.
On October 23, 2020, with the assistance of the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit (SCU), DEU detectives served a search warrant at Ruiz’ residence. During the service of the search warrant, Ruiz refused to open the front door and began flushing several bottles of Alprazolam (Xanax) down the toilet in an attempt to destroy evidence. Detectives forced entry into the residence and detained Ruiz. Detectives located a 17-year-old juvenile female hiding in a locked bathroom in residence. During a search of the residence, detectives located a large quantity of Alprazolam (Xanax), Fentanyl, Cocaine, Marijuana, packaging material, a scale, and US Currency consistent with sales of narcotics. Ruiz was placed under arrest for possession for sale of Xanax, Possession for sale of Fentanyl and Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana for sale, destroying evidence, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was booked into Ventura County Jail with a bail request of $350,000. The female juvenile was released to the custody and care of her parents.
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.