Ojai, CA — A routine call from a vigilant community member led to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of hundreds of counterfeit pills and multiple narcotics just steps away from the Ojai Skateboard Park, where numerous children were present, authorities announced on Monday.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 1:31 p.m. on November 24, when a resident contacted dispatch to report three suspicious people sitting inside a parked vehicle. The caller said the trio appeared to be drinking alcohol and using narcotics in the busy parking lot.
Deputies Find Group Under the Influence
Deputies with the Ojai Police Department arrived and contacted the occupants—all identified as Los Angeles residents. During their initial interaction, officers observed:
- An open alcohol container
- Drug paraphernalia
- Clear signs that all three individuals were under the influence of a controlled substance
The group was detained while deputies searched the vehicle.
Search Uncovers Massive Stash of Counterfeit Drugs
What deputies found next was far beyond a simple narcotics violation. Inside the vehicle, they uncovered an extensive variety of illegal substances—many of which were counterfeit and potentially deadly:
- 879 counterfeit Adderall pills
- 722 counterfeit oxycodone pills
- 14 counterfeit Xanax pills
- 7 grams of ketamine
- 1 gram of cocaine
- Hundreds of mini Ziploc bags
- A digital scale
Officials noted that the “M-30” blue oxycodone pills, commonly called “Mexican Blues,” are frequently laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for thousands of overdose deaths annually.
Additionally, TruNarc testing revealed that the so-called Adderall pills were counterfeit and actually contained methamphetamine, not the medication’s legitimate active ingredients.
Deputies: Drugs Were Intended for Local Distribution
Given the large quantity of pills, packaging materials, and scale, deputies strongly believe the suspects intended to sell the drugs locally—potentially even in the vicinity of the Ojai Skateboard Park, where children were present during the arrests.
Investigators emphasized the severe danger counterfeit pills pose, especially those cut with fentanyl or methamphetamine, noting that a single pill can be fatal.
Three Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges
All three individuals were arrested on suspicion of:
- Possession of a controlled substance for sale
- Possession of a controlled substance for sale (additional count)
- Being under the influence of a controlled substance
- Conspiracy to commit a crime
Authorities stated that additional charges could be considered pending further lab testing and investigation.
Sheriff’s Office Praises Resident for Swift Action
Officials publicly thanked the reporting resident, whose alert call helped prevent a significant quantity of dangerous narcotics from entering the Ojai community.
Law enforcement emphasized that community reporting plays a critical role in identifying suspicious activity and preventing drug distribution—especially near locations frequented by children.
Your Turn
What do you think about community reporting and law enforcement’s response in cases like this? Share your thoughts, concerns, or experiences in the comments below.
