Drug Bust in Eastland County - Fentanyl and Meth Confiscated The most high-profile arrest of the money laundering investigation has been that of Villarreal, the former state treasurer. Oscar Jesus Lopez, age 23 of Laredo; Flores had made powerful friends in the U.S., among them lobbyist and former Congressman Henry Bonilla, who showed up at his initial court appearance in San Antonio. Coahuila prosecutors in October 2011 charged Villarreal with falsifying documents to take out millions of dollars in loans on the state's credit. Example video title will go here for this video. U.S. authorities were ramping up their investigation after Gonzalez's arrest on drug charges. Further back, in the 1800s, Coahuila y Tejas was one state under Mexican rule. The lawyer he initially hired to defend him said the family isn't involved in any crimes. The indictment accuses the defendants of conspiring to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Midwestern and Southern U.S. During a year-long investigation culminating in coordinated raids this week, law enforcement officers led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized 23 kilos of cocaine, more than 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, 100 kilos of methamphetamine, along with firearms and $359,000 in cash. And, San Diego Pride Kicks off today. With Villarreal on the run, the lawsuits languished. Rubn Moreira, the current governor, told Mexican reporters that Gonzlez Trevio's position was unofficial and unpaid. Officials seized. WALTERBORO, S.C. One of the last pieces of a legal dynasty that doled out justice in rural South Carolina for decades crumbled Friday as lawyer Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his wife and son at their sprawling estate. The massive drug bust took place during a traffic stop in San Clemente, a wealthy enclave about 75 miles inland from the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, multiple Border Patrol sources told Fox News. Drug Bust November 25, 2022 8:35 am . Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Some of the money came from inflated contracts, said First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg. Lastiri was sentenced to a total of 100 months in federal prison. 25 people arrested after massive drug bust in San Antonio area - KSAT He liked to stare me down as he would walk by me during this trial. Last June, federal authorities were conducting surveillance on Moshe using a GPS signal from his phone in connection with the LSD investigation when he unwittingly led them to an illegal. Meanwhile, the U.S. investigation sprawled. On Tuesday, federal, state and local authorities arrested all of the defendants with the exception of Lumbreras, Ojeda and Flores. SAN ANTONIO A massive drug bust took place at a northwest side hotel where 75,000 fentanyl pills were seized, the Bexar County Sherriff's Office said. Coahuila, with its large manufacturing sector and border crossings, is a major trade partner with Texas, and politically connected people from the state who are not under investigation have become close with San Antonio city leaders. Last year, Raul Gonzlez Trevio bought a one-acre piece of commercial property on U.S. 281 near TPC Parkway. Wynne, Villarreal's attorney who was at the hotel meeting, said he's trying to show the Texas properties were purchased with legitimate funds. Philadelphia drug bust: Feds seize over $1 billion worth of - CBS News Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area Drug Enforcement Administration Daniel C. Comeaux Special Agent in Charge Houston @DEAHoustonDiv April 15, 2021 Contact: Sally M. Sparks Phone Number: (713) 693-3329 For Immediate Release Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area According to Salazar, deputies found a couple hundred grams of methamphetamine and black tar heroin and $9,000. The lawsuit seeks $2.8 million in an account Torres has in Bermuda. Updated: 4:52 PM CST January 28, 2022. This comes as state officials said they've seen a surge in fentanyl seizures with DPS reporting a 950% increase from 2020. They are either identified as being investors in some of these corporations, or persons with knowledge of some of the transactions, Herberg said. The bust happened at 523 Porter St. early Friday. He's facing a federal charge of possession with an intent to distribute over 500 grams of a controlled substance, according to Salazar. BCSO AND DEA TAG UNIT DRUG BUST Nevrez hit a . The former governor, Eugenio Hernndez Flores, has said those allegations are false. Plus, Rooftop Cinema extends screenings until September. Deputies searched a home Tuesday in the. Fernando Jose Moreno, age 45 of San Antonio; Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio's company, RCG Radio y Televisin, has come a long way since the family business started 30 years ago, when it launched as Cablevision, the first cable company in Mexico. SAN ANTONIO- Twelve San Antonio residents face federal drug trafficking charges, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland. Twelve Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Jose Artemio Acevedo Jr. aka Chapparo, 49, of Rio Grande City; In interviews after his son's killing, Moreira placed blame on narcoempresarios, businessmen with ties to the cartels who allowed the gangs to act with impunity. Alvarez does not work for GEOs separate Karnes County Detention Center, where some federal inmates are held before trial, said her lawyer, Joey Contreras. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested her after the discovery of drugs, officials said. Multiple agencies conducted an arrest operation Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 which resulted in fifteen indictments being served and the arrest of seven suspects. In February, Villarreal slipped across one of the international bridges in El Paso and turned himself in to federal agents. Mark Anthony Ojeda, 33, of San Antonio; SAN ANTONIO - Twenty five men and women are in custody after authorities busted a drug distribution operation in the San Antonio area Thursday, according to officials. BCSO says as deputies were approaching the residence, Mendez was getting in a vehicle to leave. . Jesus Manuel DeLuna aka Chuy, 48, of San Antonio; A 32-year-old San Antonio woman was sentenced to more than eight years in prison after she was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine . Over half a million dollars worth of cocaine seized in Texas drug bust The DEA contended that the car accelerated toward the agents, who opened fire not knowing that the teenager was behind the wheel. SAN ANTONIO Six people are in custody following a drug bust in east Bexar County earlier this week, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Among the businessmen was a scowling Coronado, Villarreal's brother-in-law who was detained in East Texas, and Francisco Xavier Flores Valdez, a nephew of the Moreira brothers. The U.S. At about 11 a.m., SLO Police. "That's due to availability, the amount of fentanyl that's in the country right now. Villarreal was involved in facilitating the purchase of the properties, Houston attorney Michael J. Wynne said. Three suspects arrested, six victims rescued in human smuggling bust If he gets extradited we will (fight the criminal case), but right now he has not been extradited, so he's still in Mexico, Canales said. Jacob Sanchez, 21, of San Antonio. Each has a prior serious felony drug conviction which enhances their minimum mandatory sentence. Moyer said he didn't buy them. Rosalinda Flores, 54, of San Antonio; Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Ojeda faces between 10 years and life in federal prison and Pena faces between five and 40 years in federal prison on the drug possession charge. The sheriffs office said most of the suspects that were arrested are documented gang members.. Initially, they claimed in court documents that the money in the Texas banks and the funds used to buy the San Antonio properties came from fraudulent loans Villarreal took out on Coahuila's credit. Man arrested following largest fentanyl seizure in Bexar County ___ Collins reported from Columbia, South Carolina. The arrests made yesterday in San Antonio conclude a comprehensive investigation by the DEA along with our law enforcement partners into the criminal activities of a drug trafficking organization, who were responsible for transporting and distributing methamphetamine and cocaine into our communities, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Comeaux. When he took the stand in his own defense, the first thing he did was admit he had lied to investigators about being at the kennels, saying he was paranoid of law enforcement because he was addicted to opioids and had pills in his pocket the night of the killings. 'Very quiet neighborhood': Two arrested following drug bust, drugs and Ashley Mendez, 28, and Ruben Zambrano, 38, were taken into custody. According to court records, Haggard was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to four years imprisonment for aggravated robbery in Bexar County. As I tell you again, I respect this court. It is our position that it's just a front for money laundering, Herberg said. In another court filing, the feds wrote that Flores' case is somehow tied to their investigation of money allegedly stolen from the Coahuila government and laundered in Texas. Nicolas Rodriguez, age 39 of San Antonio; News 4 San Antonio on Twitter: "DRUG BUSTThe Castle Hills Police The house in Champions Ridge is owned by Raul Gonzlez Fernandez, but over the years it's been owned by his father, brother, uncle and by Vicente Chaires Yaez, Moreira's personal secretary while he was governor. Its radio and television stations have a reputation for supporting the Institutional Revolutionary Party, known by its Spanish acronym PRI, in general and the Moreiras in particular. All rights reserved. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. Over five years, they purchased a dozen houses in San Antonio, selling off a handful and renting out others. The juror agreed with prosecutors that the key piece of evidence was a video locked on his sons cellphone for a year video shot minutes before the killings at the same kennels near where the bodies would be found. The situation is politically fraught. Updated: 11:05 PM CST November 13, 2020 SAN ANTONIO Nearly $30 million worth of drugs are seized from a Bexar County home. Also charged are Francisco Garza, 52; Frank Zepeda, 51; Jose Tabares, 53; Matthew Villa, 51; Michelle Zamarripa, 59; Rodger Rocky Hernandez, 43; Jay Haggard, 34; Oscar Heredia, 37; Jason Big Mac Gutierrez, 37; and Jacob Sanchez, 21. On an October morning last year, residents in . We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in order to enhance the quality of life for the citizens in the San Antonio region.. Authorities call it the largest. They didn't do any mining.. It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. ROBERT MCLEROY, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, S.A.-area rancher catches the hearts of American Idol judges, USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days a week, Take a look inside this $3.5 million 'mystery' mansion, New food truck park opens at The CO-OP SA, 10 things to do this weekend in San Antonio. In a month or so, he will move to a maximum security state prison like all new inmates serving life sentences. The DEA said her father may have used her as a decoy. But they had a mountain of circumstantial evidence, including the video putting Murdaugh at the scene of the killings five minutes before his wife and son stopped using their cellphones forever. The Zetas in particular had spread their control to Coahuila's mining sector, Moreira said. Monday February 10, 2003. Aug. 2, 2014 Updated: Aug. 4, 2014 11 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email. Prosecutor Creighton Waters noted that stare each day in court. Salazar said the street value of the seized drugs is over $1.2 million. Press Releases | DEA.gov They often used a network of limited liability companies that made it difficult for investigators to track the ownership of those assets. Bexar County Deputies arrest 3 people in a drug bust on San Antonio's Sorianello said he couldn't divulge how they were able to track down the suspected drug dealer or if additional arrests are pending. Homero Garcia, age 36 of San Antonio; A locked padlock Tuesday, June 22nd 2021. Good Morning San Antonio. Yesterday, federal, state and local authorities arrested nine defendants. Gonzlez Trevio, the father, bought his first house in San Antonio in the early 1990s. All of the defendants except Albelardo Oviedo are also charged in substantive counts in the indictment related to specific instances of drug trafficking that occurred throughout the course of the conspiracy. Omar Cuellar, 47, of San Antonio. A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi in November charged Villarreal and Torres with money laundering and fraud. Coordinated effort by law enforcement leads to major drug bust in Joseph Richard Guerrero, age 28 of San Antonio; His lawyer, Roy Barrera Jr., said Flores wasn't involved in public corruption or organized crime. Further, the indictment charges Pena with an additional one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Moreira, the former leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, is close to Mexican President Enrique Pea Nieto. Along with the San Antonio properties, prosecutors have filed lawsuits to take control of real estate in the Rio Grande Valley and millions of dollars in bank accounts in Texas and Bermuda. Another $8,500 in cash was found at the home as well, according to officials. Thanks to the excellent work of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, our community is safer today, stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. He is the father of Ashley Villarreal, who at 14 was fatally shot by DEA agents conducting a stakeout in San Antonio in February 2003. Phone Number: (713) 693-3329 For Immediate Release Twelve Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area SAN ANTONIO - Twelve San Antonio residents face federal drug trafficking charges, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. 37 San Antonio-Based Texas Mexican Mafia Members and Associates The suspects were arrested for drug possession. In court records, prosecutors wrote Zamora is ostensibly working as a self-employed plumber, but somehow came up with $500,000 to purchase drugs in the Bay Area, and lives in a $3 million home in . Ashley. Those five defendants were already in custody. During todays arrests authorities seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine, over 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, methamphetamine, three handguns and approximately $235,000. The truth is he brought shame upon himself, his family, the community, his profession, Kinsinger said. This indictment and arrests are the result of a joint investigation with our local, state and federal partners to neutralize a dangerous criminal organization in Texas, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Whipple. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. He surrendered to state police on Oct. 29, 2011, and was released on bond within hours. The girl was shot when she drove her fathers car out of their house at San Joaquin and Motes streets. Again he was released on bond and within days Mexican federal prosecutors leveled a new round of charges against him tied to the alleged fraudulent loans, which they say approached $250 million. Rene Palafos, age 37 of San Antonio; Peter Karasev, 35, of San Jose, has been arrested in connection with a San Jose Police Department investigation into suspected explosives-related and illegal drug offenses, authorities said. Like a traditional mafia, the Zetas also are involved in public works fraud, creating fake companies or suborning legitimate businesses and bribing public officials in exchange for government contracts that are inflated or never completed. One of his Texas limited liability companies the one that shows up on deed records is controlled by a Dutch company, which is controlled by another Texas LLC, which is controlled by a trust. Lock Thirteen individuals are charged with trafficking cocaine in the San Antonio area, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office conducted the drug bust in the 500 block of Porter Street. Feds: Alleged Bay Area drug trafficker made $500,000 coke deals, lived Among those charged in South Texas are the interim governor who served after Moreira, several business owners with homes on San Antonio's North Side, and a former state treasurer who's wanted in Mexico on allegations of taking out fraudulent loans on the state's credit. The lawsuits sought millions of dollars in bank accounts in Texas and Bermuda as well as the commercial strip center on U.S. 281, the pharmacy on Stone Oak Parkway, a storage center on Loop 1604, a condo on South Padre Island and most of a commercial block in Brownsville that prosecutors said was purchased with money stolen from Coahuila's treasury. Consequently, they are also responsible for the death of my son and the 80,000 or 100,000 you see the numbers aren't what they're thought to be, as much as 150,000 ultimately dead from this war.. Prosecutors have said in court that they believe Flores helped a former governor of Tamaulipas, another state that borders Texas, launder bribe money from the Zetas. Salazar said Moreira deserves more scrutiny because the state's debt and the allegations of theft happened on his watch. Gonzlez Fernandez didn't respond to letters written to him in jail, and his new attorney, San Antonio white collar crime expert Cynthia Orr, wouldn't comment. I think he's not guilty, so I was shocked.. San Jose: Home raided in explosives and drug investigation Guillermo has also worked in Central America, Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona and California and his work has appeared in various publications, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, New York Post, Newsday, Denver Post and the Albuquerque Journal. Zambrano and Mendez now face charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a first degree felony, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver over 400 grams, another first degree felony, possession of a controlled substance a third degree felony and possession of marijuana, more than five pounds, also a third degree felony. In 2011, a pair of Mexican senators called for an investigation into Chaires and his investment in real estate and in Coahuila radio and television stations. Online reports can only be completed for the following crimes where no weapon was used and no suspect information is available. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) $400,000 worth of drugs were found in an east side home today. Now he's found a new voice in recovery. Jacqueline Alvarez, 57, of San Antonio The indictment also charges Haggard with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, namely a Taurus semi-automatic pistol on August 28, 2020. He quickly left Mexico for the U.S. and showed up in East Texas in February 2012 where he was again arrested. He wouldn't say more in an interview, but in court Canales called the indictment a sham and accused prosecutors of using it to retaliate against Torres for fighting the civil suit. In total, officials found seven kilos of heroin and 1.5 kilos of meth, according to the BCSO. If convicted of the latest conspiracy charges, Villarreal and the others each face 10 years to life in federal prison. The DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue any individual or organization that threatens the well-being and stability of our communities.. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. Of the 14 people indicted Wednesday, at least 10 have been taken into custody, including Jacqueline Alvarez, 57, of San Antonio, who works for the GEO Group at the Karnes County Family Residential Center. Intellectuals and landholders from the state, which borders Texas, took refuge here during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900s. This ex-lawmaker's Texas drug bust was national news. Now he's found a UVALDE Texas - A major drug bust has happened Tuesday morning in Uvalde . Murdaugh's brother and surviving son sat behind him in the courtroom every day. It might have been the monster you become," Newman said. Despite the tony digs, the raid looked like any other drug case. Jesus Manuel DeLuna aka "Chuy," 48, of San Antonio; Erik Jason Pena, 41, of San Antonio; and Omar Cuellar, 47, of San Antonio. I saw his eyes. Prior to today, authorities seized approximately 21 kilograms of cocaine, 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, a firearm and approximately $124,000 along with other assets attributable to this organization. Villarreal fraudulently acquired Mexican pesos totaling over $35 million in U.S. dollars and funneled the monies into United States bank accounts, federal prosecutors in Corpus Christi wrote in a court filing.