United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LOS ANGELES – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division today announced that a federal grand jury has returned a six-count indictment charging two Oxnard men and a Mexican national with being large-scale cocaine and methamphetamine distributors operating in Ventura County who are linked to the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel.

Adriel Contreras, 33, a.k.a. “AD,” and Maurisio Perez, 26, both of Oxnard, were arrested on August 27, following the execution of the federal search warrants. 

Contreras, Maurisio Perez, and Salvador Perez, 30, resident of Mexico, are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. Contreras also is charged with one count of distribution of cocaine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Maurisio Perez also is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. 

The defendants were arraigned Tuesday (9/16) in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which a federal grand jury returned on Wednesday. A November 4 trial date is scheduled in this matter. Salvador Perez is a fugitive believed to be in Mexico.

According to DEA Ventura Resident Office investigators, on August 27, law enforcement executed search warrants at Perez’s and Contreras’ residences. Four additional federal search warrants were executed in Camarillo, Oxnard, and Woodland Hills. The investigation and warrants led to the seizure of approximately 19 kilograms (42 pounds) of cocaine, 1.8 kilograms (four pounds) of methamphetamine, $130,000 dollars in cash, two shotguns, bulk quantities of ammunition, and high-capacity magazines.

Perez has been identified by local law enforcement as one of Ventura County’s largest known drug traffickers. Additionally, intelligence gathered during the investigation indicates that the drug trafficking organization has direct connections to Sinaloa, Mexico. Investigators also identified links to associates in New Zealand and Australia – ties that the drug trafficking organization was leveraging to ship bulk quantities of cocaine. Numerous packages, destined for transnational shipment, were identified by law enforcement and subsequently seized.

The DEA’s Ventura Resident Office and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office initiated their investigation into the Perez drug trafficking organization in May 2024, based on information provided by DEA’s Orange County District Office Task Force Group 1 (TFG1) and DEA Los Angeles Field Division Group -1 (G1). Simi Valley Police and Oxnard Police also assisted in the matter.

Ryan Olson, Resident Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Ventura Resident Office, said it is believed the breadth and scope of the drug trafficking organization operating in Ventura County and Mexico had transnational roots and generated significant drug proceeds. 

“This investigation underscores our unwavering dedication to protecting our communities from dangerous drugs and the violence propagated by these criminal enterprises,” Olson said. “We will ensure these drug criminals are brought to justice. I commend our hardworking investigators and our local partners for their steadfast collaboration and support.” 

“Each time we take a drug dealer off the streets, we make a difference,” said Brian Clark, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division. “These arrests should serve as a warning to drug criminals. If you choose to push poison to line your pockets, you will be held accountable for your actions. DEA and our law enforcement partners maintain a firm resolve to safeguard the well-being and security of our communities.”

 “When local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate effectively, it creates a powerful force against drug-related harm in communities,” said Captain Matt Young of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. “This teamwork can lead to better intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and resource pooling. Such synergy often results in dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, reducing availability of harmful substances, and ultimately improving community safety and health.”

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, the defendants would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Purcell of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

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