Twelve Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area 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. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. They are steadfastly in his camp, defense attorney Jim Griffin said after the hearing. 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. This ex-lawmaker's Texas drug bust was national news. Now he's found a 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. Gonzlez Fernandez's girlfriend, Alejandra Ibarra, who lives at the Champions Ridge house with their 3-year-old daughter, said she doesn't believe he was involved in drug trafficking. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. DRUG BUST: The Crystal City Police - News 4 San Antonio | Facebook Jesse Martinez, age 41 of San Antonio; And that was the reason they offered it, Griffin said. Bexar County drug bust nets $400k worth of heroin, cocaine HOUSTON - Twenty-two defendants from San Antonio, Del Rio and Laredo 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Coordinated effort by law enforcement leads to major drug bust in Uvalde (SBG San Antonio) 0. Jesus Gerardo Vasquez, age 19 of San Antonio; Example video title will go here for this video. A locked padlock LOUIS - A man from Texas and a woman from St. Louis were indicted Wednesday on drug conspiracy charges after multiple kilograms of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine were found during a traffic stop on Interstate 44 in St. Louis County. Salazar said the street value of the seized drugs is over $1.2 million. USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days Texas Vista owner has threatened hospital shutdown before, VIA adding 8 new buses to its fleet and theyre all electric, BCSO: 3 arrested after 6 smuggled people, 3 stash houses found, Bexar County deputy reunites African tortoise with owners, Gunmen blast 75 rounds at Northwest Side apartment. 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. According to authorities, the team has two simultaneous narcotic search warrants on two residences located near the 200 block of Zaragoza Street. The drug bust led deputies to search another residence in the 100 block of Seashell Place in west San Antonio. UVALDE Texas - A major drug bust has happened Tuesday morning in Uvalde . 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. In addition to Moyado and Cardenas, the following suspects were arrested: Crystal Coronado, 34, is facing the following charges: Jeanette Gloria, 38, is facing the following charges: Jose Delgado, 38, is facing the following charges: Kenneth Peterson, 28, is facing the following charges: The street value of the drugs that were found in the residence is well over $700,000, according to Salazar. 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. 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. All the remaining defendants face between 10 years to life in federal prison upon conviction. The former governor, Eugenio Hernndez Flores, has said those allegations are false. He pleaded guilty to operating a money transmitting business without a license, Barrera said. 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 DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue any individual or organization that threatens the well-being and stability of our communities.. Philadelphia drug bust: Feds seize over $1 billion worth of - CBS News Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Drug Bust November 25, 2022 8:35 am . His saga began in mid-2011, when news broke of Coahuila's massive debt. Jay Haggard, 34, of San Antonio Meanwhile, the U.S. investigation sprawled. A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi in November charged Villarreal and Torres with money laundering and fraud. Deputies searched a home Tuesday in the. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. Deputies detained her and found 5 THC vape pens on the front seat, authorities said. Today, federal, state and local authorities arrested 26 individuals, including "TMM General" Raul Ramos, and are looking for four others in connection with a heroin/cocaine trafficking operation in the San Antonio area announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Fridays hearing again took place in a packed courtroom. 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. Coordinated effort by law enforcement leads to major drug bust in A locked padlock A major drug bust occurred in Eastland County. 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. 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. I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie and I would never under any circumstances hurt my son Paul-Paul, Murdaugh responded. Over the past century, your family including you have been prosecuting people here in this courtroom, and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct, the judge said. 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. Drug Cartels Aren't Just a Border Problem | National Review At about 11 a.m., SLO Police. The DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Texas Department of Public Safety, San Antonio Police Department, New Braunfels Police Department, University of Texas San Antonio Police Department, Gonzales Police Department, Comal County Sheriffs Office and the Guadalupe County Sheriffs Office conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation called Operation Brujas Blunder. 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. Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. They are either identified as being investors in some of these corporations, or persons with knowledge of some of the transactions, Herberg said. Rodger Hernandez aka Rocky, 43, of San Antonio This comes as state officials said they've seen a surge in fentanyl seizures with DPS reporting a 950% increase from 2020. Zoos in the past were judged by who had the most animals, San Antonio Zoo chief Tim Morrow says. DRUG BUSTThe Castle Hills Police Department confiscated 6.5 grams of Fentanyl and over four grams of Heroin during a traffic stop overnight. If convicted of the latest conspiracy charges, Villarreal and the others each face 10 years to life in federal prison. Agents arrested Lumbreras on Monday night. Lock Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT. Juan Antonio Estrada aka "Tony," 37, of Ro Grande City Drug Bust in Eastland County - Fentanyl and Meth Confiscated Lastiri was sentenced to a total of 100 months in federal prison. 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 Six people are in custody following a drug bust in east Bexar County earlier this week, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. 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. It is our position that it's just a front for money laundering, Herberg said. According to police, during a traffic stop, officers found a loaded syringe containing heroin inside of a vehicle. USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days Texas Vista owner has threatened hospital shutdown before, VIA adding 8 new buses to its fleet and theyre all electric, BCSO: 3 arrested after 6 smuggled people, 3 stash houses found, Bexar County deputy reunites African tortoise with owners, Gunmen blast 75 rounds at Northwest Side apartment. She traveled from Houston to San Antonio with two children in her vehicle. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. 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. And the apparent tears Murdaugh cried throughout the trial, even on the witness stand? AUSTIN, Texas Federal authorities arrested 21 people believed to be involved in drug trafficking on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice. Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved. 'Very quiet neighborhood': Two arrested following drug bust, drugs and One victim reportedly paid more than $12,000 to get to the San Antonio area, according to the sheriff. 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. Torres and Villarreal were the closest persons to Moreira, Salazar said. Online reports can only be completed for the following crimes where no weapon was used and no suspect information is available. Martinez, Robles, and Jose Garcia face between 15 years and life upon conviction of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Nevrez hit a . His high-powered attorney, J.A. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) A big drug bust on San Antonio's North side. A simple drug bust. Jason Buch, Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News. She works in the immigration portion of GEO. UPDATE: Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar says they found $29 million worth of methamphetamine, in addition to $400,000 worth of black tar heroin in a conversion lab in the Northeast Side. Multiple agencies conducted an arrest operation Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 which resulted in fifteen indictments being served and the arrest of seven suspects. This arrest operation also resulted in firearms, currency, and a large amount of methamphetamine being seized from these individuals. 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. U.S. authorities were ramping up their investigation after Gonzalez's arrest on drug charges. 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. But not good enough, Moyer said. 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. Ojeda faces a mandatory five years in federal prison on the gun charge upon conviction. Four others were arrested after deputies returned to the residence with a search warrant and found two more kilos of heroin. She previously worked for WICS/WRSP 20 in Springfield, Illinois. Murdaugh's brother and surviving son sat behind him in the courtroom every day. When Humberto came into power, RCG was tiny, said Jorge Rosales Saade, an official with the opposition PAN party in Coahuila. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. Gonzlez Trevio wouldn't comment and officials at the Mexican Consulate and in San Antonio's International Relations Office said they're not familiar with him. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, METRO -- The father of Ashley Villarreal is led out of the Judge John H. Wood Federal Courthouse. 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. Coahuila prosecutors in October 2011 charged Villarreal with falsifying documents to take out millions of dollars in loans on the state's credit. In February, Villarreal slipped across one of the international bridges in El Paso and turned himself in to federal agents. Each has a prior serious felony drug conviction which enhances their minimum mandatory sentence. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Villarreal was involved in facilitating the purchase of the properties, Houston attorney Michael J. Wynne said. Instructions. Marshals Service and the Bexar County Sheriffs Office assisted with arrests. Joseph Richard Guerrero, age 28 of San Antonio; ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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 . "No tears. DEA shares new insight in $30 million meth bust in Bexar Co. home - KENS Villarreal's attorney said the majority owners in the Texas LLCs are not Villarreal's family members, but a Panamanian company, and that the San Antonio property was purchased with money from lenders in Mexico, not kickbacks. The U.S. The voices of all three Murdaughs can be heard on the video, though Alex Murdaugh had insisted for 20 months that he hadn't been at the kennels that night. Pictured is (left to right): Jeanette Gloria, 38; Crystal Coronado, 34; Kenneth Peterson, 28; Josh Delgado, 38. They asked a judge to give them three San Antonio houses, all appraised at more than $500,000; the Champions Ridge home owned by Gonzlez Fernandez, a house in the Vistas at Sonterra owned by his brother; and a house in Oakwell Farms, an exclusive inside-the-loop gated community, owned by their father, Ral Gonzlez Trevio. Over half a million dollars worth of cocaine seized in Texas drug bust Joel Villarreal aka Gordo, 49, of San Antonio; Thursday, March 18, 2021 Twelve Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area Twelve San Antonio residents face federal drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division. That's it. By then, Villarreal disappeared. Monday February 10, 2003. 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. Texas drug trafficking crackdown lands dozens of people in jail - KENS5.com All he had was Cablevision, but they made him a multimillionaire with enormous power. These arrests send a strong and unified message that these crimes will not be tolerated in our communities and those who commit these offenses will be brought to justice, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Comeaux. Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio also shows up on the list of people Bexar County prosecutors told a judge they want to ask witnesses about as part of their money laundering investigation, and he once owned the house in Champions Ridge that the feds are trying to seize from his nephew. 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. 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. According to court records, Haggard was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to four years imprisonment for aggravated robbery in Bexar County. All the defendants, excepting Gutierrez, face between 10 years and life in federal prison upon conviction of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. 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. Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area At sentencing, Murdaugh maintained his innocence, just as he did when he testified in his own defense during the six-week trial. Salazar said the three suspects face charges of human smuggling, engaging in organized crime . According to Sorianello, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, over 50 times greater or stronger than heroine. Through more than 75 witnesses and nearly 800 pieces of evidence, jurors heard about betrayed friends and clients, Murdaughs failed attempt to stage his own death in an insurance fraud scheme, a fatal boat crash in which his son was implicated, the housekeeper who died in a fall in the Murdaugh home and the grisly scene of the killings. The head of south central Texas DEA shares new insight on the. San Diego Border Patrol seizes massive quantity of deadly, powerful The bust happened at a Best Western off Loop 410 near Callaghan Road. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested her after the discovery of drugs, officials said. Deputies detained Ashley Mendez, 28, and Ruben Zambrano, 38, in a West Bexar County drug bust. 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. According to Eastland County Today, Tuesday at 1:30 am - Eastland County Deputy Sheriff Colby Jackson made a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle on Interstate 20. Waters said none of the victims of the crime members of Murdaughs family and the parents and relatives of his wife wished to speak on behalf of the prosecution before sentencing. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Homero Garcia, age 36 of San Antonio; During this investigation, authorities have seized approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine, 35 firearms, two silencers, a grenade, body armor and approximately $265,000 in U.S. Currency along with other assets attributable to this organization. OCDETF Lead Task Force Attorney Adrin Rosales is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Rene Palafos, age 37 of San Antonio; 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 Jesus Rodriguez aka Don Chuy, 62, of Rio Grande City; San Luis Obispo police officers seize more than $1 million in drugs Aug. 2, 2014 Updated: Aug. 4, 2014 11 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email. During todays arrests authorities seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine, over 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, methamphetamine, three handguns and approximately $235,000. Bexar County prosecutors say the treasurer, Hctor Javier Villarreal Hernndez, wired millions of dollars to Texas that he received from kickbacks. Photo: KTSA/Dennis Foley. 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. 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. 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. Fernando Salazar, a recently elected senator from Coahuila who's in the opposing National Action Party, or PAN, said he thinks the problem goes well beyond the former treasurer and interim governor. 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. Gonzlez Trevio, the father, bought his first house in San Antonio in the early 1990s. Coahuila corruption and drug ties spread influence to San Antonio, Privately run zoos in Texas adapt to new roles. 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. 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. He surrendered to state police on Oct. 29, 2011, and was released on bond within hours. Now he's found a new voice in recovery. These family members assisted Villarreal by, among other things, opening bank accounts at U.S. banks, establishing business entities and purchasing real estate in the names of these business entities.. Pair arrested in drug bust at home in West Bexar County, BCSO says - KSAT Authorities call it the largest fentanyl seizure in Bexar County. The government's investigation shouldn't stop with the drug gangs, the former governor told the Saltillo newspaper Vanguardia. 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. 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: All of them were indicted on federal drug. He's not been charged with a crime, and neither have the Gonzlez Trevio brothers. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Prosecutors didnt have the weapons used to kill the Murdaughs or other direct evidence like confessions or blood spatter. You have to have a federal and state license for that. The situation is politically fraught. 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 Zoos in the past were judged by who had the most animals, San Antonio Zoo chief Tim Morrow says. 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. Further back, in the 1800s, Coahuila y Tejas was one state under Mexican rule. And, San Diego Pride Kicks off today. Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our citizens. And that is why we want to ask questions as far as their involvement or knowledge.. Prosecutors have moved to seize tens of millions of dollars in San Antonio real estate including a home in The Dominion, commercial property on U.S. 281 and a pharmacy on Stone Oak Parkway and indicted six people under an investigation into a nexus of politics, private industry and one of Mexico's most notorious drug gangs. 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. 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. Six people arrested in southeast San Antonio drug raid connected to Former Texas State Rep. Poncho Nevrez at AudioRec Productions, a recording studio in Piedras Negras, Mexico, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Jose De Jesus Garcia, age 35 of San Antonio;