A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the following defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance: Matthew Noe Arteaga, age 35 of San Antonio; Over the next few months, Villarreal, Moreira who by that time had left Coahuila to become the national leader of the PRI as it was poised to retake Mexico's presidency and Torres, who had taken over the governorship, were forced to leave their respective jobs. She traveled from Houston to San Antonio with two children in her vehicle. 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. 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 . I think he's not guilty, so I was shocked.. 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. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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. DEA shares new insight in $30 million meth bust in Bexar Co. home - KENS It is my understanding that the Gonzalez family has contributed greatly to the economy of San Antonio, his lawyer Carlos Quezada said. 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. 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. Online reports can only be completed for the following crimes where no weapon was used and no suspect information is available. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested her after the discovery of drugs, officials said. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Three suspects arrested, six victims rescued in human smuggling bust During the stop, a search of the vehicle was conducted. 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. SAN ANTONIO (WOAI) More than $500,000 worth of cocaine was seized following the successful completion of a multi-agency operation in Texas. This comes as state officials said they've seen a surge in fentanyl seizures with DPS reporting a 950% increase from 2020. Each has a prior serious felony drug conviction which enhances their minimum mandatory sentence. And the apparent tears Murdaugh cried throughout the trial, even on the witness stand? It makes the ownership of properties more difficult for investigators and regulators to trace, however, and also could be used to disguise the source of money in the original purpose. During todays arrests authorities seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine, over 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, methamphetamine, three handguns and approximately $235,000. 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. 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. He quickly left Mexico for the U.S. and showed up in East Texas in February 2012 where he was again arrested. Ashley Mendez, 28, and Ruben Zambrano, 38, were taken into custody. The gang, he said, was responsible for a wave of violence that killed tens of thousand in Mexico, many in Coahuila. DEA officials said the pills were smaller than a dime and that even a tiny dose of the drug could be fatal. The Zetas in particular had spread their control to Coahuila's mining sector, Moreira said. 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. His high-powered attorney, J.A. 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. A simple drug bust. SAN ANTONIO The Bexar County Sheriff's Office provided details about a drug bust in east Bexar County. A similar lawsuit is seeking to forfeit for $2.3 million Villarreal has in another Bermuda bank. 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. It was found that there is no evidence to link Mr. Moreira Valdes to any wrongdoing in relation to the debt contracted in the state of Coahuila during his term as governor, the attorney wrote. Authorities call it the largest fentanyl seizure in Bexar County. Yesterday, federal, state and local authorities arrested nine defendants. And that was the reason they offered it, Griffin said. Some of the money came from inflated contracts, said First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg. Erik Jason Pena, 41, of San Antonio; and Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. Upon further inspection, Marijuana, Methamphetamines, Heroin and Fentanyl along . 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. 'Drugs in every nook and cranny' | Two arrested after BCSO finds - KENS All the remaining defendants face between 10 years to life in federal prison upon conviction. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. You have to have a federal and state license for that. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. He's not been charged with a crime, and neither have the Gonzlez Trevio brothers. With Villarreal on the run, the lawsuits languished. The bust happened at a Best Western off Loop 410 near Callaghan Road. DRUG BUST: The Crystal City Police - News 4 San Antonio | Facebook All of them were indicted on federal drug. Pair arrested in drug bust at home in West Bexar County, BCSO says - KSAT Former Texas State Rep. Poncho Nevrez at AudioRec Productions, a recording studio in Piedras Negras, Mexico, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Map: See the San Antonio ties of Coahuilan politicians and businessmen, some of whom prosecutors say laundered millions of dollars in South Texas. Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio's properties are nominally owned by a complex structure of companies. Moreira has not been charged, but his political career came to an abrupt end in 2011 when it was revealed that under his governorship Coahuila had racked up nearly $3 billion in debt. Gutierrez faces between five and 40 years upon conviction. Another $8,500 in cash was found at the home as well, according to officials. Last year, Raul Gonzlez Trevio bought a one-acre piece of commercial property on U.S. 281 near TPC Parkway. 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. 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. San Luis Obispo police officers seize more than $1 million in drugs Please dial 911 for emergencies or 210.207.7273 for non-emergencies. Michael Barron, age 39 of San Antonio; Our ongoing effort to reduce violence and drug trafficking in our communities sends a clear message that members of these violent criminal enterprises will be held accountable for their crimes.. Lastiri worked as a driver for a Drug Trafficking Organization and put her childrens lives at risk by bringing them on this job, said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. All rights reserved. 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. 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. The U.S. 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. Shes a recreation specialist for GEO, supervising children at play, he said. His lawyer, Roy Barrera Jr., said Flores wasn't involved in public corruption or organized crime. Jesus Rodriguez aka Don Chuy, 62, of Rio Grande City; 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 6 arrested in east Bexar County drug bust, sheriff's - ksat.com 2 at the DA's office, prosecutors believe at least some of the $6.5 million in a JP Morgan Chase and Co. bank account that his office is suing to forfeit came from kickbacks. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. It is our position that it's just a front for money laundering, Herberg said. On July 20, 2021, members of the BCSO and DEA TAG Unit executed a search warrant in the After additional surveillance of the area, investigators arrested Servando Yzaguirre after he was found to be in possession of 323.7 grams of meth, according to the sheriffs office. Torres and Villarreal were the closest persons to Moreira, Salazar said. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bexar County Sheriffs Office, Terrell Hills Police Department, Seguin Police Department and San Antonio Police Department conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation called Operation Alamo Fade. According to Salazar, deputies found a couple hundred grams of methamphetamine and black tar heroin and $9,000. Jose Artemio Acevedo Jr. aka Chapparo, 49, of Rio Grande City; 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. Moreira's attorneys wouldn't comment for this report, but after Forbes magazine included him on a list of Mexican politicians accused of corruption, Mexico City lawyer Christian F. Zinser Cieslik wrote to the publication, saying the former governor had been exonerated in an investigation by the Mexican attorney general's office. 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. I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie and I would never under any circumstances hurt my son Paul-Paul, Murdaugh responded. Cash found at drug bust in West Bexar County. The press conference took place around 11:45 a.m. Friday in the 500 block of Porter. 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: Haggard faces up to 10 years in federal prison upon conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. 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. A firearm was also found inside of the residence, according to officials. BCSO AND DEA TAG UNIT DRUG BUST 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. 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.. Aug. 2, 2014 Updated: Aug. 4, 2014 11 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email. Can't take statins? New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks Despite the tony digs, the raid looked like any other drug case. It might have been the monster you become," Newman said. Bexar County drug bust nets $400k worth of heroin, cocaine Coahuila corruption and drug ties spread influence to San Antonio Man arrested following largest fentanyl seizure in Bexar County (San . A major drug bust occurred in Eastland County. Online Reports - San Antonio Javier Armando Casas, 40, of Pharr; San Antonio woman among 14 charged with conspiracy to distribute meth and cocaine, Privately run zoos in Texas adapt to new roles. The former lawmaker didn't respond to phone calls seeking comment, but at the time lawyers said Bonilla became friends with Flores after selling his house to the businessman and was there to show support. A good liar. Mark Anthony Ojeda, 33, of San Antonio; Bryan Anthony Brown, age 33 of San Antonio; Monday February 10, 2003. Four others were arrested after deputies returned to the residence with a search warrant and found two more kilos of heroin. OCDETF Lead Task Force Attorney Adrin Rosales is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. At about 11 a.m., SLO Police. On an October morning last year, residents in the gated Champions Ridge subdivision watched as federal agents arrested a neighbor with ties to the Coahuila government. Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT. News 4 San Antonio on Twitter: "DRUG BUSTThe Castle Hills Police Deputies searched a home Tuesday in the. San Diego Border Patrol seizes massive quantity of deadly, powerful "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. Authorities call it the largest. BEXAR COUNTY (KTSA News) Six people were arrested in a drug bust at a southeast San Antonio home the Bexar County sheriff said has connections to a white supremacist group. Lus Claudio Estrada aka Luz, 42, of La Joya; Today, it has large office buildings in Saltillo and hangars at the city airport. Example video title will go here for this video. Coronado and Flores Valdez, the Moreiras' nephew, were in San Antonio responding to a request by Bexar County to depose representatives of the LLCs that Villarreal's family members manage. The DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue any individual or organization that threatens the well-being and stability of our communities.. 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. Lastiri was sentenced to a total of 100 months in federal prison. But I am innocent. All he had was Cablevision, but they made him a multimillionaire with enormous power. 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. Michelle Zamarripa, 59, of San Antonio Homero Garcia, age 36 of San Antonio; She previously worked for WICS/WRSP 20 in Springfield, Illinois. The company also owns billboards around the state. 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. 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. Alex Murdaugh gets life in prison in murder of wife, son Jesse Martinez, age 41 of San Antonio; The government is abusing its power, Canales wrote in one filing. 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. 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. Salazar said the three suspects face charges of human smuggling, engaging in organized crime . Guillermo Moyado, 38, and Joaquin Cardenas, 39, were arrested during the traffic stop after deputies seized five kilos of black tar heroin and five kilos of methamphetamine from their vehicle, according to the BCSO. The DEA said her father may have used her as a decoy. The drug bust led deputies to search another residence in the 100 block of Seashell Place in west San Antonio. Justin Paul Guerrero, age 26 of San Antonio; Jacqueline Alvarez, 57, of San Antonio The DEA contended that the car accelerated toward the agents, who opened fire not knowing that the teenager was behind the wheel. DRUG BUSTThe Castle Hills Police Department confiscated 6.5 grams of Fentanyl and over four grams of Heroin during a traffic stop overnight. The nighttime stakeout targeted her father. ___ Collins reported from Columbia, South Carolina. According to authorities, the team has two simultaneous narcotic search warrants on two residences located near the 200 block of Zaragoza Street. Drug dealing and violence go hand in hand. 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. Zoos in the past were judged by who had the most animals, San Antonio Zoo chief Tim Morrow says. 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. Our position on behalf of Mr. Villarreal is to establish the facts and show that he is not guilty. Lock Nevrez hit a . UVALDE Texas - A major drug bust has happened Tuesday morning in Uvalde . 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. The truth is he brought shame upon himself, his family, the community, his profession, Kinsinger said. Timeline: An interactive look at Coahuila's debt and the ensuing investigation in San Antonio. 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. Its disgraceful.. Tag: Drug Bust - NBC 7 San Diego Heather Freitag, 27, was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. DETAILS: Drugs, Guns & Cash Seized in Huge Federal Drug Bust in Brady It happened Friday in Atascosa County where the. The DEA, U.S. "While we are certainly celebrating this case for obvious reasons, we're also quite alarmed by the fact that this drug is present in these quantities in this area, not something that that surprises us, but it's still troubling nonetheless," said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. Joshua Hamilton, 30, was arrested on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm. They say those millions were looted from the Coahuila government and flooded Texas starting in 2007, during the term of former Gov. In December, six Coahuila businessmen gathered at the Hotel Contessa in downtown San Antonio. His work for KSAT 12 and KSAT.com includes covering breaking news of the day, as well as producing Q&As and content for the "South Texas Pride" and "KSAT Money" series. 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. By then, Villarreal disappeared. 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. 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. And that is why we want to ask questions as far as their involvement or knowledge.. 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 . An official website of the United States government. She works in the immigration portion of GEO. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. I looked in his eyes. Frank Anthony Hernandez aka Pancho, 36, of San Antonio; Thirteen Indicted for Cocaine Trafficking in San Antonio Area Updated: 10:32 PM CST February 27, 2021 PLEASANTON, Texas An eight-month crackdown operation on drugs has landed dozens of people in jail. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As I tell you again, I respect this court. Later in the year, attention focused on Coahuila's former interim governor. Tracy Kinsinger came to the courthouse with a homemade sign reading Murderer that he made the night before. Albelardo Oviedo, age 29 of San Antonio. Three arrested after Castle Hills Police find heroin, fentanyl and Ivan Herrera has worked as a journalist in San Antonio since 2016. Jason Gutierrez aka Big Mac, 37, of San Antonio 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.