2 Arrested in Drug Seizures at 3 Homes

A Camarillo couple have been arrested on suspicion of participating in a methamphetamine ring after deputies seized more than 30 pounds of the drug at three houses in Ventura County, authorities said Thursday.

Rafael Escobar Marron, 35, remained in Ventura County Jail without bail Thursday night. His girlfriend, Sandra Mares Garcia, 31, was released Wednesday after posting bail.

“The focus of the investigation involved the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine in Ventura County and Southern California,” Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Fred Bustillos said in a statement.

Authorities valued the confiscated drugs and a clandestine lab also seized at nearly $2 million. More arrests in the case are expected.

Deputies began investigating the drug operation several months ago and on Tuesday arrested Marron in Camarillo. Authorities said deputies found more than 12 ounces of methamphetamine inside his pants.

Because Marron is on parole, sheriff’s deputies were legally allowed to search his Camarillo home on Calle de la Rosa, according to Bustillos.

At the residence, inside a safe encased in concrete and hidden under wooden floorboards in an outbuilding, deputies found 8 pounds of methamphetamine divided into half-pound packages, authorities said. About $5,000 in suspected drug proceeds and a loaded semiautomatic handgun were also seized, authorities said.

Authorities said evidence inside the safe led them to arrest Garcia.

On Wednesday, deputies searched two houses in Oxnard also believed to be part of the operation.

They found 22 pounds of methamphetamine at residences in the 1300 block of Spruce Street and the 2100 block of Saviers Road, authorities said. They said the clandestine lab and 15 gallons of so-called methamphetamine oil were seized at one of the Oxnard homes.

The lab, authorities said, was capable of producing 45 pounds of the drug.

Marron was being held on suspicion of transporting and possessing methamphetamine for sale and conspiracy. Garcia had been booked on suspicion of possessing the drugs for sales and conspiracy.