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Santa Barbara County deputies seize pounds of fentanyl

March 17, 2026

By KAREN VELIE

A Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy’s traffic stop led to the seizure of more than two pounds of fentanyl 0n Sunday.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m., a deputy noticed a car swerving out of its lane on Highway 101 near Summerland. The deputy pulled over the driver who identified herself as Erica Racheal Ruvalcaba, a resident of Lompoc.

Deputies, who observed signs that Ruvalcaba was driving under the influence of drugs, searched her vehicle which led to the discovery of eight grams of methamphetamine and approximately two pounds, six ounces of fentanyl hidden inside a subwoofer speaker.

Deputies booked Ruvalcaba in Santa Barbara County Main Jail on charges of DUI, possession of fentanyl for sale, transportation or sale of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was being held on enhanced bail of $500,000, but has since bailed out.

“The seizure of fentanyl is significant as law enforcement and community partners continue working to reduce the devastating impact of opioids in Santa Barbara County,” according to the sheriff’s press release.

 


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Finally, the name(s) of a perp is included. Stick to that standard for legitimacy.


9

They listed her name because she accepted the consequences of her actions and refused to work as a snitch so a case will show up on court records under a public search. They filed charges, they don’t need to protect her anonymity. You gotta respect her for that. When no names of those arrested are not listed it is to protect them because they are working as police informants instead of manning up and doing their time, like this young lady. Respect to her for facing the music and her jail time instead of snitching. If you can’t do the time then dont so the crime.


-1

Excellent job by SB County. But the real story here is that fentanyl overdose deaths in the county have dropped by 40% in the last two years (outpacing the national average of 25%) because of prevention, treatment services and strong enforcement, as in this case.


https://www.sbsheriff.org/santa-barbara-county-reports-significant-decline-in-overdose-deaths/


9

Actually the reason that over dose deaths have gone way down in the last two years is 100 percent due to the fact that the fentanyl on the streets in the last two years has been poor quality, it’s no where near as strong as it used to be. Most likely due to the fact that because of so many over dose deaths the police have been cracking down on it big time, so reduce the strength of the drug and reduce deaths which in turn lowers the heat on the drug cartel. Trust me. I know. Same with the methamphetamine, very poor quality, also cut up with fentynol. Very rare to see any meth on the street that doesn’t test positive for fentynol.


0

Seriously. Why would a person with such clear connections to upper-level drug money be allowed out on bail? Come on. This is such an obvious member that they would not want talking. Of course they are going to get her out. Perhaps they think she will lead them to bigger fish, but she was a bird in the hand.


15

Actually they would like to have her out. That way they can monitor her movements, put tracking devices on her vehicles, tdp her phone, follow her on gos and if she’s sloppy enough, she just might lead them to bigger fish or help law enforcement connect more of the dots. 2 pounds of fentynol is a big catch. She’s well connected and they know this. She’s more valuable if she’s out in the public instead of behind bars.


0