On one occasion, he said, a state contract went to a mineral extraction company controlled by the Zetas drug gang, former en- forcers for another cartel who spun off into their own criminal organization. The bust happened at a Best Western off Loop 410 near Callaghan Road. Drug dealing and violence go hand in hand. They didn't do any mining.. DETAILS: Drugs, Guns & Cash Seized in Huge Federal Drug Bust in Brady "Some may not have any narcotic in it, others may have too much and thats when your going to overdose, and these are the stories you hear, someone goes to a party, and never done anything, said Sorianello. 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. 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. Updated: 4:52 PM CST January 28, 2022. Lock 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. 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. Jesus Manuel DeLuna aka "Chuy," 48, of San Antonio; Erik Jason Pena, 41, of San Antonio; and Omar Cuellar, 47, of San Antonio. I was shocked, Ibarra said of her boyfriend's arrest. The family has plenty of money from recent sales of Mexican media holdings, Ibarra said, and her boyfriend had income from running restaurants in Torren, Coahuila, and San Antonio. Tracy Kinsinger came to the courthouse with a homemade sign reading Murderer that he made the night before. A simple drug bust. The former governor, Eugenio Hernndez Flores, has said those allegations are false. Before he was charged with murder, Murdaugh was in jail awaiting trial on about 100 other charges ranging from insurance fraud to tax evasion. He's facing a federal charge of possession with an intent to distribute over 500 grams of a controlled substance, according to Salazar. Deputies seized four kilograms of heroin and two kilograms of cocaine in the home in addition to multiple firearms, thousands of dollars of cash and expensive clothing. Despite the tony digs, the raid looked like any other drug case. Prosecutors in Corpus Christi filed a lawsuit in late September accusing Torres, who owns a house near Houston, of using JP Morgan Chase Bank accounts to transfer millions of dollars from Mexico to Texas, then turning around and sending it offshore. There were no guns, no drugs.. Ricardo Gonzalez, age 24 of San Antonio; BCSO said through the course of executing the search warrant they found a total of 13.4 pounds of marijuana, 2.2 pounds of hash oil, 1.2 ounces of cocaine, 2.9 grams of methamphetamine, a shotgun and $16,757 in cash. Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT. The Zetas in particular had spread their control to Coahuila's mining sector, Moreira said. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( 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. And that is why we want to ask questions as far as their involvement or knowledge.. SAN ANTONIO - Six people are in custody, two of which are being held in a federal facility, following a drug bust on the North Side, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Upon searching the vehicle, deputies found 1.2 pounds of marijuana and 47 additional vape pens in the trunk. 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. He has also covered immigration, minority affairs and legal affairs as part of the projects team here and for other print, TV and radio outlets. Lawyers for both men maintain they're innocent. The specific mission of the Houston/South Texas OCDETF Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle the drug trafficking organizations headed by designated Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOTs), Regional Priority Organization Targets (RPOTs), and their affiliates that impact Houston and south Texas. Jesse Martinez, age 41 of San Antonio; Jose De Jesus Garcia, age 35 of San Antonio; The KSAT 12 News Team provides a look at local, regional, statewide and national news events and the latest information on local traffic and weather issues. Texas drug trafficking crackdown lands dozens of people in jail - KENS5.com In October 2012, Jos Eduardo Moreira, Humberto's son, was found murdered outside the border city of Acua, and several police officials were arrested in connection with the slaying. MEDINA COUNTY, Texas More than 20 arrests have been made as part of a multi-agency investigation into drug distribution in south-central Texas after a . Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Bexar County drug bust nets $400k worth of heroin, cocaine It also alleges that from June 2019 until April 7, 2021, Oscar Oviedo, Vasquez, Justin Guerrero, Moreno and Palafos conspired to distribute cocaine, and that Chavarria, Homero Garcia, Oswaldo Lopez and Oscar Lopez conspired to distribute heroin. The nighttime stakeout targeted her father. She traveled from Houston to San Antonio with two children in her vehicle. According to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, deputies on Friday executed a search warrant at a home in the 6900 block of Martinique Drive, not far from Highway 90 and Military Drive. Justin Paul Guerrero, age 26 of San Antonio; In February, Villarreal slipped across one of the international bridges in El Paso and turned himself in to federal agents. Fridays hearing again took place in a packed courtroom. The arrestsin San Antonio conclude a comprehensive investigation by 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 Daniel C. Comeaux, special agent in charge of the DEA office in Houston. Copyright 2021 by KSAT - All rights reserved. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired in 2020 to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. Matthew Villa, 51, of San Antonio Monday February 10, 2003. Six people are in custody following a drug bust in east Bexar County earlier this week, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. "That's due to availability, the amount of fentanyl that's in the country right now. Bexar County prosecutors say the treasurer, Hctor Javier Villarreal Hernndez, wired millions of dollars to Texas that he received from kickbacks. Coahuila prosecutors in October 2011 charged Villarreal with falsifying documents to take out millions of dollars in loans on the state's credit. Francisco Manuel Mata-Martinez, 41, of El Paso, was indicted. The drug bust led deputies to search another residence in the 100 block of Seashell Place in west San Antonio. A locked padlock According to Sorianello, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, over 50 times greater or stronger than heroine. 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. Photo: KTSA/Dennis Foley. This operation is part of an OCDETF Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. 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. 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. Now he's found a new voice in recovery. But I am innocent. Prosecutor Creighton Waters noted that stare each day in court. 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. Last year, Raul Gonzlez Trevio bought a one-acre piece of commercial property on U.S. 281 near TPC Parkway. Deputies detained her and found 5 THC vape pens on the front seat, authorities said. 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. The indictment also charges Ojeda with two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. San Luis Obispo police officers seize more than $1 million in drugs Deputies searched a home Tuesday in the 1200 block of Delmar when they arrested Edward Medrano, 35, for being in possession of 373.3 grams of methamphetamine, according to officials. 01 Mar 2023 22:30:08 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. Four others were arrested after deputies returned to the residence with a search warrant and found two more kilos of heroin. 25 people arrested after massive drug bust in San Antonio area - KSAT They whisked him to San Antonio, where prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging him with another count of money laundering. San Diego Border Patrol seizes massive quantity of deadly, powerful Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved. 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. Joel Villarreal aka Gordo, 49, of San Antonio; Another $8,500 in cash was found at the home as well, according to officials. Our position on behalf of Mr. Villarreal is to establish the facts and show that he is not guilty. Homero Garcia, age 36 of San Antonio; He liked to stare me down as he would walk by me during this trial. Defense attorneys said they will appeal, based largely on the judge allowing the evidence of crimes that Murdaugh has not been convicted of, which they say smeared his reputation. Since that incident, Salazar said deputies were notified the drug operation was back up and running, which led to the BCSO setting up surveillance near the residence Thursday morning. Boy, 11, shoots self in head with gun he found in apartment, Photos show a massive alligator on an Atascosa County road, Look inside historic $2.3 million King William home. They are steadfastly in his camp, defense attorney Jim Griffin said after the hearing. His saga began in mid-2011, when news broke of Coahuila's massive debt. (Robert McLeroy/Staff). 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. DRUG BUSTThe Castle Hills Police Department confiscated 6.5 grams of Fentanyl and over four grams of Heroin during a traffic stop overnight. Marshals Service, Bexar County Sheriffs Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Kendall County Sheriffs Office conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation called Operation Dirty Confidential. Our nation-wide commitment to reducing gun crime in America, Report Waste, Fraud, Abuse or Misconduct to the Inspector General, Find Help and Information for Crime Victims, Register, Apply for Permits, or Request Records, Monitor Selection for Corporate Criminal Enforcement. Pictured is (left to right): Jeanette Gloria, 38; Crystal Coronado, 34; Kenneth Peterson, 28; Josh Delgado, 38. During todays arrests authorities seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine, over 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, methamphetamine, three handguns and approximately $235,000. And the apparent tears Murdaugh cried throughout the trial, even on the witness stand? The company also owns billboards around the state. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Ashley Villarreal who was shot and critically wounded on Motes street at S. San Joaquin just a few houses down from her home. Deputies searched a home Tuesday in the. 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. Frank Anthony Hernandez aka Pancho, 36, of San Antonio; If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Bryan Anthony Brown, age 33 of San Antonio; Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Nowinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Man charged with murder cut off ankle monitor, captured after being spotted in San Antonio, 'Especially lush': Wildflower Center predicts above-average bluebonnet season, Spring-like weekend in store for San Antonio | FORECAST, 2 separate $10,000 rewards offered by law enforcement for the suspect involved in shooting two Corpus Christi officers, Police search for suspects who may be involved in robbery, Video shows possible suspect vehicle connected to Army soldier's murder on New Year's Day. A federal grand jury indictment returned in San Antonio charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine: Juan Carlos Robles, age 35 of San Antonio; Plus, Rooftop Cinema extends screenings until September. Michael Barron, age 39 of San Antonio; On an October morning last year, residents in . SAN ANTONIO Six people are in custody, two of which are being held in a federal facility, following a drug bust on the North Side, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. 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. With Villarreal on the run, the lawsuits languished. In the following months, details of the U.S. investigation began trickling out through a series of lawsuits filed by federal and state prosecutors to seize bank accounts and property owned by limited liability companies that had been set up by Villarreal, Coronado, another brother-in-law, Villarreal's wife and his alleged mistress. They had cast Alex as a despicable human being. Yesterday, federal, state and local authorities arrested nine defendants. Tony Canales, said Torres is innocent but won't come to the U.S. to fight the charges because he's afraid he won't get bond. Coahuila corruption and drug ties spread influence to San Antonio, Privately run zoos in Texas adapt to new roles. 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 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. Alex Murdaugh gets life in prison in murder of wife, son 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. A network of politicians and businessmen from the Mexican state of Coahuila relocated to San Antonio over the past seven years, and prosecutors say a corrupt group among them invested millions of dollars in illegal kickbacks here from drug traffickers and state contractors. The suspects were arrested for drug possession. Ivan Herrera has worked as a journalist in San Antonio since 2016. Ojeda faces a mandatory five years in federal prison on the gun charge upon conviction. Further back, in the 1800s, Coahuila y Tejas was one state under Mexican rule. They refused to identify themselves to reporters or discuss why they were meeting in a conference room with prosecutors, a DEA agent and an investigator with the Texas attorney general's office. The BCSOs Gang Unit and Organized Crime Unit handled the investigation of the drug bust. Ed Rodriguez, a former IRS agent who is not involved in the case, said there could be perfectly legitimate reasons for businessmen to distance themselves from properties they own, including protection from lawsuits. Zoos in the past were judged by who had the most animals, San Antonio Zoo chief Tim Morrow says. Sorianello said he couldn't divulge how they were able to track down the suspected drug dealer or if additional arrests are pending. Authorities call it the largest. He asked for an investigation of those persons, many of whom are part of society and are well-known and who have financial relations with (organized crime) and who have made their fortunes through them. He surrendered to state police on Oct. 29, 2011, and was released on bond within hours. San Jose: Home raided in explosives and drug investigation 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. The bust happened at 523 Porter St. early Friday. San Antonio woman among 14 charged with conspiracy to distribute meth Among those charged are Villarreal, who is in a San Antonio jail awaiting trial, and Coahuila's former interim governor, Jorge Juan Torres Lpez, a fugitive. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland. Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. Further, the indictment charges Pena with an additional one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Drug Bust November 25, 2022 8:35 am . 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. SAN ANTONIO - Two people have been arrested following a big drug bust in a quiet neighborhood over on the East Side of the city. Oakland man charged with distributing thousands of LSD tabs Rubn Moreira, the current governor, told Mexican reporters that Gonzlez Trevio's position was unofficial and unpaid. He did say this is part of a larger drug operation and the investigation is on-going. In a month or so, he will move to a maximum security state prison like all new inmates serving life sentences. Jacqueline Alvarez, 57, of San Antonio Michelle Zamarripa, 59, of San Antonio Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. OCDETF Lead Task Force Attorney Adrin Rosales is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Cash found at drug bust in West Bexar County. 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 Luis Obispo detectives on Thursday arrested a man on drug charges and seized more than $1 million worth of narcotics from a single home, according to police. Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved. In total, officials found seven kilos of heroin and 1.5 kilos of meth, according to the BCSO. 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. During this investigation, authorities seized approximately 24 kilograms of methamphetamine, six kilograms of heroin, three kilograms of cocaine, four firearms and approximately $100,000 along with other assets attributable to this organization. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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 indictment also charges Ojeda with two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Border Patrol agents based in the San Diego Sector seized 232 pounds of fentanyl with a street value of about $3 million from a single vehicle, officials announced on Monday.. Now, said Herberg, the No. Three suspects arrested, six victims rescued in human smuggling bust It alleges that he laundered in San Antonio the proceeds of bribes, theft, embezzlement and drug distribution, another indication that the U.S. is investigating whether there's a connection between the alleged raiding of Coahuila's state coffers and the Zetas, a gang started by former Mexican special forces soldiers to be the Gulf Cartel's paramilitary arm. DEA shares new insight in $30 million meth bust in Bexar Co. home - KENS Sheriff's deputies there said they stopped Villarreal, his wife and brother-in-law Oswaldo Coronado traveling with $67,000. 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. It is my understanding that the Gonzalez family has contributed greatly to the economy of San Antonio, his lawyer Carlos Quezada said. Ojeda was already in custody, and Flores has yet to be arrested. He's not been charged with a crime, and neither have the Gonzlez Trevio brothers. That's what we're doing, he said. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office conducted the drug bust in the 500 block of Porter Street. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. In a major study released Saturday, March 4, 2023, Nexletol reduced the risk of heart attacks and other health problems in people who can't take drugs called statins, the main cholesterol-lowering . BCSO says as deputies were approaching the residence, Mendez was getting in a vehicle to leave. Jesus Rodriguez aka Don Chuy, 62, of Rio Grande City; 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. Ashley. AUSTIN, Texas Federal authorities arrested 21 people believed to be involved in drug trafficking on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice. Gonzlez Trevio, the father, bought his first house in San Antonio in the early 1990s. 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. All the billboards that the PRI used in its campaigns they would rent from Roberto, and they'd easily get the permits from the city governments.. SAN ANTONIO A man and a woman were arrested after deputies busted a drug distribution operation in West Bexar County on Friday, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio signed the deed of sale for the property and he's listed as the trust's sole managing member, but his name does not appear on public records filed by the LLCs. 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. 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. Over the past two days, federal, state and local authorities arrested all of the defendants with the exception of Brown, Martinez, Jose Garcia, Alvarado, and Bartlett. Copyright 2021 by KSAT - All rights reserved. James Patric Bartlett, age 42 of San Antonio; and, 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. Murdaugh's family founded the areas most powerful law firm a century ago in neighboring Hampton County. Man arrested following largest fentanyl seizure in Bexar County The female driver was identified as Shauna Madrid, 36, from Roswell, New Mexico. The now-disbarred attorney admitted stealing millions of dollars from the family firm and clients, saying he needed the money to fund his drug habit. San Antonio woman sentenced to 8+ years in prison for meth trafficking Deputies saw the suspects vehicle leaving the home and thats when they conducted a traffic stop near Loop 410 and Ingram Road. Joe Angel Villarreal aka Compadre, 55, of San Antonio Hernandez, Haggard and Heredia were already in custody. For decades, that meant that practically anyone who ended up in court whatever side of the law they found themselves on would have a Murdaugh either watching their back or staring them down. 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. 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. A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the following defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance: Francisco Garza aka Pancho, 52, of San Antonio Drugs worth millions found in suburban Bexar County meth lab, at - KTSA More than $1 billion worth of cocaine has been seized at the Philadelphia Port on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.They say the drug bust netted approximately 16.5 tons of the .