A California man with a criminal past is back behind bars after cops say they caught him armed to the teeth, and ready to sell some serious drugs. Sean Briseno, an Oxnard local, was allegedly packing a "ghost gun" and had a trove of meth and weed on him when deputies swooped in at the scenic La Jolla Canyon Trail.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office release, on the evening of January 23, the 40-year-old known felon was found under the influence with a loaded, no-serial-number P-80 pistol, and a stash that meant business. The arrest was the result of a quick response by the Camarillo PD and the sheriff’s narcotics unit, after a tip-off to California State Parks authorities. Deputies found Briseno's vehicle laden with 163 grams of meth, 80 grams of marijuana, plus the tools of the trade like digital scales, police scanners, and other narcotics paraphernalia.
Law enforcement reported that the street value of the seized narcotics could amount to thousands, representing a significant blow to local drug traffic. After the haul, Briseno now faces a laundry list of charges, including possession of a firearm by a felon, illegal transfer of a firearm, and possession of controlled substances for sale, among others.
The case is being shipped off to the Ventura County District Attorney's office, which will decide on Briseno's legal fate. Meanwhile, Sgt. Adam Garnier commended the deputies' efforts, "By identifying criminal activity and working proactively to enforce laws, the deputy located and seized an untraceable firearm, a significant amount of narcotics and identified a subject who was under the influence of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm, all of which aid in the safety of residents of Ventura County safe," he stated in the release. It remains a stark reminder of the unseen dangers that can lurk in even the most pristine of California’s landscapes.
Those with more info that could help keep the county clean of crime are urged to dial up Ventura County Crime Stoppers. They're offering up a cool $1,000 for any tip that leads to an arrest – and you can stay anonymous if you're feeling shy or just cautious.
