Two Canoga Park residents have been arrested on charges related to narcotics sales and firearms possession. In a press release issued February 27th by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Vincent Brock and Kathy Taing, both 24, were detained following an investigation by the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) into the sale of counterfeit opioid pills containing fentanyl. The arrest took place on February 21, with a search warrant executed at the couple's residence.
During the raid, authorities found over 5,000 counterfeit M-30 pills, several bottles of Promethazine, over $6,000 in suspected illicit proceeds, and a concealed loaded handgun. Brock and Taing face multiple drug and firearms charges, including Possession for Sales of Controlled Substances and Sales of a Controlled Substance. Taing posted bail and was released, while Brock remains in custody on $55,000 bail. According to a press release from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, fines for their involvement in the sale of these drugs into Ventura County could be steep.
The Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Unit, along with the Ventura County Gun Violence Reduction Program (GVRP) and several other regional law enforcement agencies, has been targeting the supply chain of fentanyl into the area. Fentanyl is an incredibly potent synthetic opioid that can be lethal in doses as small as 2 milligrams. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office press release highlights the drug's potency, noting that it is "100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin."
Cases of counterfeit pills are reportedly becoming more common, with drug cartels producing these pills and distributing them across the United States for significant profits. The pills, which are often mixed with fentanyl and resemble legitimate medications, have led to numerous fatal and non-fatal overdoses. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as many as "six out of every ten pills" seized are counterfeit and potentially dangerous. The VC FOCUS is collaborating with Ventura County Behavioral Health and the County Overdose Awareness & Solutions Team (COAST) to curb overdoses and educate the public about the dangers associated with opioids and other drugs.
Ventura County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the persons responsible for this crime. The investigation is ongoing, and the public is encouraged to contact VC FOCUS with any relevant information. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or by contacting the investigators at (805) 383-8700 or via email at [email protected].
