THOUSAND OAKS : Drug Investigation Leads to 7 Arrests

In a narcotics investigation that began in Thousand Oaks and culminated with the arrests of seven men in Hollywood and Van Nuys, Ventura County law enforcement agencies teamed with the FBI to seize large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine, authorities said.

The suspects were arrested on felony narcotics charges Monday at about 10:30 p.m. after undercover agents negotiated simultaneous purchases of large amounts of the drugs at separate locations in Van Nuys and Hollywood, said Sgt. Gary Pentis of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Simi Valley Police Department and the FBI seized a combined 11 pounds of cocaine and seven pounds of methamphetamine at the two Los Angeles County locations.

Arrested at a Van Nuys apartment complex were Hector Tapia Castillo, 28, of Van Nuys, and Gustavo Lopez, 26, of Sylmar.

Arrested at the Hollywood residence were George Frances Acevedo, 26, and Eric Fain, 26, both of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Juan Antonio Mendoza, 25, of Compton; Fernando Velastic Osuna, 23, of Sonora, Mexico, and Angel Luis Torres, 29, of Hollywood.

Authorities believe the suspects had ties to drug sales not only in Thousand Oaks, but also in New York City, Miami, Hawaii and Australia, Pentis said.

In addition to the drugs, authorities seized scales, a loaded .40-caliber handgun and three vehicles.

The suspects were arrested on charges of sales of narcotics and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Each was being held at the East County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.