On Monday, February 1, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop on a grey Chevy Camaro for a vehicle code violation at the intersection of Rose Avenue and La Puerta. Three subjects were contacted in the vehicle; the driver, Joel Torres (25yrs), and passengers, Cesar Morales (19yrs) and Joanna Ayala (29yrs).
During the stop, officers saw controlled substance paraphernalia in plain view next to Torres’ seat. Ayala was found to be on probation for vehicle theft, and Morales and Torres provided false names and information to the officers on the stop. Morales was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest, and Ayala was found in possession of methamphetamine and controlled substance paraphernalia during a probation search of her person. During a search of the vehicle, methamphetamine, a scale, controlled substance paraphernalia, a large quantity of small baggies, Xanax, Hydrocodone pills, .38 Special ammunition and a loaded Rossi .38 Special revolver were located. The items located in the vehicle were indicative of controlled substances for sale. Torres was found to be in possession of these items, and was arrested for various firearm and controlled substances for sale charges. The firearm was not registered to Torres.