Agents arrested Lumbreras on Monday night. The DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue any individual or organization that threatens the well-being and stability of our communities.. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The street value for the drugs is estimated at $145,890. We look forward to taking a good hard look at the governments evidence.. Copyright 2021 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty in this case, and Newman handed down the harshest possible sentence he could consecutive life sentences without parole. 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. 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. 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. Deputies. Plus, Rooftop Cinema extends screenings until September. Lastiri was sentenced to a total of 100 months in federal prison. According to authorities, the team has two simultaneous narcotic search warrants on two residences located near the 200 block of Zaragoza Street. They often used a network of limited liability companies that made it difficult for investigators to track the ownership of those assets. 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. 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. Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved. That fact is evident from the number of firearms recovered in this investigation - not to mention the silencers, grenade and body armor. Murdaugh faced the judge in the Colleton County courtroom on the circuit where his father, grandfather and great-grandfather tried cases as the elected prosecutor for more than 80 years. Monday February 10, 2003. 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. His saga began in mid-2011, when news broke of Coahuila's massive debt. 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 DEA contended that the car accelerated toward the agents, who opened fire not knowing that the teenager was behind the wheel. Pictured is (left to right): Jeanette Gloria, 38; Crystal Coronado, 34; Kenneth Peterson, 28; Josh Delgado, 38. Torres remains a fugitive in Mexico. He did say this is part of a larger drug operation and the investigation is on-going. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. All he had was Cablevision, but they made him a multimillionaire with enormous power. Ricardo Gonzalez, age 24 of San Antonio; Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The former governor, critics said, was adept at bringing the news media to his side, leaning on advertisers or offering up party and government advertising as an enticement. The press conference took place around 11:45 a.m. Friday in the 500 block of Porter. As I tell you again, I respect this court. Murdaugh's family founded the areas most powerful law firm a century ago in neighboring Hampton County. Jonathan Linares Lumbreras aka Coahuila, 30, of San Antonio; When one defendant was brought to court in San Antonio, a former U.S. congressman showed up to support him. 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. The Bexar County District Attorneys Office also assisted in the investigation. 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. She previously worked for WICS/WRSP 20 in Springfield, Illinois. "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. 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. Upon searching the vehicle, deputies found 1.2 pounds of marijuana and 47 additional vape pens in the trunk. 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. That's it. Map: See the San Antonio ties of Coahuilan politicians and businessmen, some of whom prosecutors say laundered millions of dollars in South Texas. They say those millions were looted from the Coahuila government and flooded Texas starting in 2007, during the term of former Gov. They are either identified as being investors in some of these corporations, or persons with knowledge of some of the transactions, Herberg said. According to Salazar, deputies found a couple hundred grams of methamphetamine and black tar heroin and $9,000. A simple drug bust. Gutierrez faces between five and 40 years upon conviction. Ivan Herrera has worked as a journalist in San Antonio since 2016. 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. And, San Diego Pride Kicks off today. Rubn Moreira, the current governor, told Mexican reporters that Gonzlez Trevio's position was unofficial and unpaid. 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. 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. All other crimes require an officer to make the scene. Zambrano was arrested in the kitchen without incident. And the apparent tears Murdaugh cried throughout the trial, even on the witness stand? 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 . Coordinated effort by law enforcement leads to major drug bust in Uvalde (SBG San Antonio) 0. 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.. During todays arrests authorities seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine, over 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, methamphetamine, three handguns and approximately $235,000. 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. She works in the immigration portion of GEO. 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. Hernandez, Haggard and Heredia were already in custody. 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 . 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. 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. 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. A firearm was also found inside of the residence, according to officials. A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi in November charged Villarreal and Torres with money laundering and fraud. 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. Marshals Service and the Bexar County Sheriffs Office assisted with arrests. A major drug bust occurred in Eastland County. An official website of the United States government. Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. It is our position that it's just a front for money laundering, Herberg said. Officials seized. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired in 2020 to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. 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. He liked to stare me down as he would walk by me during this trial. SAN ANTONIO The Bexar County Sheriff's Office provided details about a drug bust in east Bexar County. 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. Then, starting in 2006, he and his brother, Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio, went on a spending spree. Joel Villarreal aka Gordo, 49, of San Antonio; 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. Later in the year, attention focused on Coahuila's former interim governor. Ojeda faces a mandatory five years in federal prison on the gun charge upon conviction. They whisked him to San Antonio, where prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging him with another count of money laundering. Rene Palafos, age 37 of San Antonio; Francisco Manuel Mata-Martinez, 41, of El Paso, was indicted. Murdaugh's brother and surviving son sat behind him in the courtroom every day. 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. 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. 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. Thanks to the excellent work of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, our community is safer today, stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. 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. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) A big drug bust on San Antonio's North side. It didn't take long to convince the other three. Now he's found a new voice in recovery. 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. guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland. According to police, during a traffic stop, officers found a loaded syringe containing heroin inside of a vehicle. 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. First, the government filed a civil complaint and, when (Torres) contested this civil forfeiture by filing a motion to dismiss, then the government brought an indictment over the same subject matter all with the purpose of obstructing the ability to defend oneself against a groundless forfeiture.. Jay Haggard, 34, of San Antonio 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. Some sit empty today. 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. Frank Zepeda aka Pancho, 51, of San Antonio Juan Carlos Robles, age 35 of San Antonio; 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. An employee of a residential facility for immigrant families and the father of a girl shot dead by federal agents in San Antonio 18 years ago are among 14 alleged members of a drug ring charged in a new federal indictment. Haggard faces up to 10 years in federal prison upon conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm. But not good enough, Moyer said. 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.. By then, Villarreal disappeared. Murdaugh didnt look at the sign as he was hustled into the courthouse with his head down. (Robert McLeroy/Staff). One victim reportedly paid more than $12,000 to get to the San Antonio area, according to the sheriff. Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT. The DEA said her father may have used her as a decoy. Deputies detained Ashley Mendez, 28, and Ruben Zambrano, 38, in a West Bexar County drug bust. Over five years, they purchased a dozen houses in San Antonio, selling off a handful and renting out others. Upon conviction of the drug conspiracy charge, Ojeda, Juan Estrada, Lus Estrada, Rodriguez, Hernandez, Acevedo, Villarreal and Flores face between 10 years and life in federal prison; Lumbreras, Casas, DeLuna and Pena face between five and 40 years in federal prison; and Cuellar faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Albelardo Oviedo, age 29 of San Antonio. 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. 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. All are from San Antonio. Flores has since pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy charge and agreed to give up millions of dollars in Texas bank accounts, a Learjet and his home in The Dominion. Madilyn Marie Alvarado, age 26 of Del Rio All rights reserved. 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 . He said fentanyl pills are often made in backyard labs, and often pushed to young people disguised as other drugs. They didn't do any mining.. When Humberto came into power, RCG was tiny, said Jorge Rosales Saade, an official with the opposition PAN party in Coahuila. But I am innocent. Salazar said the three suspects face charges of human smuggling, engaging in organized crime . Also among the defendants is Joe Angel Villarreal, 55. 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. Michelle Zamarripa, 59, of San Antonio Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Last year, Raul Gonzlez Trevio bought a one-acre piece of commercial property on U.S. 281 near TPC Parkway. SAN ANTONIO - Six people are in custody following a drug bust in east Bexar County earlier this week, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. The U.S. Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Updated: 10:32 PM CST February 27, 2021 PLEASANTON, Texas An eight-month crackdown operation on drugs has landed dozens of people in jail. 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. The sheriffs office said most of the suspects that were arrested are documented gang members.. And it might not have been you. On Wednesday, a joint task force including the DEA along with the sheriff's office arrested 41-year-old Francisco Ortiz. 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. Here's What's Up in San Diego County for July 9, 2022. I saw his eyes. 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. 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. The gang, he said, was responsible for a wave of violence that killed tens of thousand in Mexico, many in Coahuila. In December, six Coahuila businessmen gathered at the Hotel Contessa in downtown San Antonio. Torres and Villarreal were the closest persons to Moreira, Salazar said. This comes as state officials said they've seen a surge in fentanyl seizures with DPS reporting a 950% increase from 2020. Justin Paul Guerrero, age 26 of San Antonio; SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) $400,000 worth of drugs were found in an east side home today. BCSO says as deputies were approaching the residence, Mendez was getting in a vehicle to leave. The most high-profile arrest of the money laundering investigation has been that of Villarreal, the former state treasurer. 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. 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. 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. Prosecutors didnt have the weapons used to kill the Murdaughs or other direct evidence like confessions or blood spatter. Multiple agencies conducted an arrest operation Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 which resulted in fifteen indictments being served and the arrest of seven suspects. Yesterday, federal, state and local authorities arrested nine defendants. Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. 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. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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. An official website of the United States government. Ojeda was already in custody, and Flores has yet to be arrested. He pleaded guilty to operating a money transmitting business without a license, Barrera said. Records show he was released in July 2019. 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. Tuesday, June 22nd 2021. In the quiet Lowcountry that Murdaughs family had dominated since the days of Jim Crow, a judge talked to Murdaugh in a way that few probably have not in his days playing college football, making millions as a high-powered attorney or gaining favor because of his name and reminded Murdaugh that he had to remove the portrait of the defendants grandfather from its place of honor in that same courtroom to ensure a fair trial. 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. And there's a correlation between that and the approximately 93,000 overdose deaths in the country," said Dante Sorianello, DEA Special Agent. 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. Rosalinda Flores, 54, of San Antonio; Jesus Gerardo Vasquez, age 19 of San Antonio; A similar lawsuit is seeking to forfeit for $2.3 million Villarreal has in another Bermuda bank. The head of south central Texas DEA shares new insight on the. Rodger Hernandez aka Rocky, 43, of San Antonio Jose Tabares, 53, of San Antonio Properties that the feds moved to seize in the case suggested they were looking at something more than a simple dope smuggling investigation. Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. 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.
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