Ventura Police K9 Identifies Narcotics During Traffic Stop Leading to Arrest

 A Ventura man is in custody for multiple charges after a Ventura Police Officer conducting proactive patrols pulled over Efrain Heredia for a moving violation on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The officer was patrolling the area of Bristol Rd and Johnson Dr during the nighttime hours when he pulled over Heredia for a traffic violation. One of VPD’s new K9 units, Torque, arrived to assist at the stop.

VPD canine Torque immediately alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded .40 caliber pistol as well as sales-level quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

As a convicted felon, Heredia is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Heredia was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm, a felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a loaded firearm while in possession of narcotics, carrying a concealed firearm, transportation and possession of fentanyl for sales, and transportation and possession of methamphetamine for sales, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Detectives from the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit later served a search warrant at Heredia’s residence and found additional evidence related to the above crimes he was arrested for. 

Your Ventura Police Department officers are committed to serving the community, and investigations like this are just one of the many efforts to keep the community as safe as possible.