3 Arrested in Drug Raids on 2 Homes

Authorities arrested three people and netted about half a pound of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana in two separate drug raids conducted in Santa Paula and in Oxnard this week.

Methamphetamine and marijuana with a street value of about $22,000, as well as unspecified weapons, were seized during a Friday afternoon raid led by the Ventura Police SWAT team on a residence at 412 Trent Lane.

The Special Weapons and Tactics group led the raid conducted by the Ventura-Oxnard Narcotic Enforcement Team because of the “numerous prior incidents of violence” involving Louie Vasquez Jr., 21, one of two people arrested on suspicion of selling narcotics, police said. Authorities also arrested his sister, Carmela Vasquez, 21. Friday’s arrests were made without incident.

The arrests and seizure of the drugs at the Trent Lane home culminated a three-week investigation into gang-related drug sales in the city, police said. The alleged activity included one sale of a quarter-pound of methamphetamine police believe the Vasquezes participated in.

In the other raid, which occurred Tuesday, about $9,000 of methamphetamine was found at the Simon Way home of Ray Neathery, 27. Police allege Neathery had sold drugs from his home and his business, AutoSounds Stereo, 761 Oxnard Blvd. Neathery was booked on charges of selling and possessing methamphetamine.