The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department has reported the arrest of two brothers, Enrique and Erick Benitez, in connection with a drug delivery service aimed at local juveniles. As per a media release, the two were apprehended on Tuesday on the 4800 block of South Rose Avenue in Oxnard after a months-long investigation into the trafficking of controlled substances, namely psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, and nicotine vape devices, to minors. The Oxnard residents, aged 18 and 26, respectively, are accused of leveraging social media and messaging platforms to reach their young clientele.
In February 2025, headquarters detectives initiated the investigation, spurred by concerning reports of narcotics circulation among Ventura County school students. Operating under code 25-22568, the investigation revealed that one juvenile had to be hospitalized following ingestion of psilocybin supplied by the alleged delivery service. According to a report by KTLA, the detectives, alongside Ventura County FOCUS, utilized a search warrant to uncover drugs and a cache of illegal items in the suspects' home.
The inventory seized by the authorities included around 20 grams of psilocybin, 88 marijuana vape devices, 10 nicotine vape devices, a significant stash of loose marijuana, and over $2,000 in cash. Notably, they also confiscated a loaded P-80 "ghost gun," a non-serialized handgun, raising serious concerns on multiple fronts. The brothers are now facing charges that extend beyond drug possession to include sale of a controlled substance to a minor, child endangerment, illegal possession, and transfer of a firearm, with both Enrique and Erick Benitez having their bail set high at $250,000 each.
As the case proceeds, Detective Jonathan Schnereger, named as the media contact, invites the public's assistance in furthering the investigation. Ventura County Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and a criminal complaint relating to this incident.
