By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
A Van Nuys man who led a large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation supplying drugs to Ventura County has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced.
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said Jose Trinidad Bueno Garcia, 50, was sentenced on Jan. 21, 2026, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess fentanyl for sale. Prosecutors said Garcia headed a drug trafficking organization responsible for moving massive quantities of fentanyl into the county, posing a severe threat to public safety.
At the time of his plea, Garcia admitted that the offense involved more than four kilograms of fentanyl, triggering a significant sentencing enhancement under California law. He also acknowledged that the crime involved a large quantity of contraband and was carried out with planning, sophistication and professionalism.
Large-scale investigation and drug seizures
According to authorities, detectives with the Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT) conducted a months-long investigation between May and October 2025 into a Los Angeles County-based drug trafficking organization.
The investigation revealed that the organization was sourcing fentanyl and methamphetamine from Mexico and distributing the drugs to residents throughout Ventura County.
On Oct. 1, 2025, VCAT detectives executed a search warrant at Garcia’s residence, where they seized approximately 3,574 grams of fentanyl, 261 grams of methamphetamine and $32,406 in U.S. currency. Investigators also recovered additional evidence consistent with drug sales and trafficking.
Search warrants were simultaneously executed at four other locations connected to the operation. In total, law enforcement officers seized approximately 6,517 grams of fentanyl — an amount authorities estimate represents more than 325,850 potentially lethal doses.
Deputy District Attorney Devin Mirchi, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Narcotics Unit, prosecuted the case.
“This defendant led a drug trafficking organization responsible for moving an enormous amount of fentanyl into our community, putting countless lives at risk,” Mirchi said in a statement. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct and sends a clear message that fentanyl trafficking will be met with significant consequences in Ventura County.”
Impact of Proposition 36
Prosecutors said 13 years of Garcia’s 15-year sentence are attributable to sentencing enhancements authorized under Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, which was approved by California voters.
Before the passage of Proposition 36, individuals responsible for trafficking large quantities of drugs often did not face enhanced penalties based on weight, limiting accountability for major drug trafficking operations, authorities said.
The remaining defendants connected to the investigation are scheduled to appear for an early disposition conference on Jan. 29, 2026.
