That's it. 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. Rodger Hernandez aka Rocky, 43, of San Antonio Zoos in the past were judged by who had the most animals, San Antonio Zoo chief Tim Morrow says. 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. 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 Alvarez does not work for GEOs separate Karnes County Detention Center, where some federal inmates are held before trial, said her lawyer, Joey Contreras. Juror Craig Moyer told ABC News that when deliberations began, the jury immediately took a poll that came back with nine guilty votes. Agents arrested Lumbreras on Monday night. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Photo: KTSA/Dennis Foley. Investigators are asking witnesses about Coahuila politicians including Moreira and his brother, the current governor comprising a virtual who's who of businessmen from the state and the Zetas, one court document shows. 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. Villarreal was involved in facilitating the purchase of the properties, Houston attorney Michael J. Wynne said. According to police, during a traffic stop, officers found a loaded syringe containing heroin inside of a vehicle. Authorities call it the largest fentanyl seizure in Bexar County. 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. I saw his eyes. It might have been the monster you become," Newman said. San Antonio has strong historic ties to Saltillo, Coahuila's capital. 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. Karen Lastiri was arrested after Bexar County Sheriffs deputies found 52.28 kilograms of meth in her vehicle during a traffic stop, according to court documents. 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. 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. 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. 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. All the remaining defendants face between 10 years to life in federal prison upon conviction. The suspects were arrested for drug possession. 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. Jose Tabares, 53, of San Antonio Javier Garcia Lopez, age 29 of San Antonio; They didn't do any mining.. 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. 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. 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. His saga began in mid-2011, when news broke of Coahuila's massive debt. Meanwhile, the U.S. investigation sprawled. Find more AP coverage of the case: https://apnews.com/hub/alex-murdaugh. Six people are in custody following a drug bust in east Bexar County earlier this week, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved. During todays arrests authorities seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine, over 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, methamphetamine, three handguns and approximately $235,000. UVALDE Texas - A major drug bust has happened Tuesday morning in Uvalde . Before he was charged with murder, Murdaugh was in jail awaiting trial on about 100 other charges ranging from insurance fraud to tax evasion. An official website of the United States government. 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 drug bust led deputies to search another residence in the 100 block of Seashell Place in west San Antonio. Prosecutors didnt have the weapons used to kill the Murdaughs or other direct evidence like confessions or blood spatter. Just a few weeks ago, 180 miles from the border, in the quiet San Antonio suburban town of Boerne, Texas, a vehicle carrying nine people two stuffed in the trunk was stopped for a traffic. Gonzlez Fernandez, the son, has pleaded not guilty to the drug charges. Erik Jason Pena, 41, of San Antonio; and It didn't take long to convince the other three. 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. U.S. authorities were ramping up their investigation after Gonzalez's arrest on drug charges. Multiple agencies conducted an arrest operation Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 which resulted in fifteen indictments being served and the arrest of seven suspects. 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 . 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 . The situation is politically fraught. You have to have a federal and state license for that. Juan Antonio Estrada aka "Tony," 37, of Ro Grande City WALTERBORO, S.C. One of the last pieces of a legal dynasty that doled out justice in rural South Carolina for decades crumbled Friday as lawyer Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his wife and son at their sprawling estate. The 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. 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. In 2008, Humberto Moreira named Gonzlez Trevio the state of Coahuila's spokesman in San Antonio, but it's unclear what duties he performed. She works in the immigration portion of GEO. 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. 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. Authorities call it the largest. Mark Anthony Ojeda, 33, of San Antonio; 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. Oscar Jesus Lopez, age 23 of Laredo; 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. 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. Zoos in the past were judged by who had the most animals, San Antonio Zoo chief Tim Morrow says. Jay Haggard, 34, of San Antonio Over five years, they purchased a dozen houses in San Antonio, selling off a handful and renting out others. 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. Tuesday, June 22nd 2021. Monday February 10, 2003. A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi in November charged Villarreal and Torres with money laundering and fraud. He's not been charged with a crime, and neither have the Gonzlez Trevio brothers. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Plus, Rooftop Cinema extends screenings until September. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. The girl was shot when she drove her fathers car out of their house at San Joaquin and Motes streets. On Tuesday, federal, state and local authorities arrested all of the defendants with the exception of Lumbreras, Ojeda and Flores. 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. 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. The lawsuit seeks $2.8 million in an account Torres has in Bermuda. That fact is evident from the number of firearms recovered in this investigation - not to mention the silencers, grenade and body armor. And, San Diego Pride Kicks off today. 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 now-disbarred attorney admitted stealing millions of dollars from the family firm and clients, saying he needed the money to fund his drug habit. Drug dealing and violence go hand in hand. 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. 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, METRO -- The father of Ashley Villarreal is led out of the Judge John H. Wood Federal Courthouse. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) A big drug bust on San Antonio's North side. Thanks to the excellent work of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, our community is safer today, stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. I was shocked, Ibarra said of her boyfriend's arrest. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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.. 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. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. 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 What's known is this: the Gonzlezes control a media empire in Mexico and in recent years extended their influence across the border. Updated: 4:52 PM CST January 28, 2022. The DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue any individual or organization that threatens the well-being and stability of our communities.. The company also owns billboards around the state. Records show he was released in July 2019. And there's a correlation between that and the approximately 93,000 overdose deaths in the country," said Dante Sorianello, DEA Special Agent. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. The indictment alleges that defendants Arteaga, Rodriguez, Brown, Chavarria, Oscar Oviedo, Joseph Guerrero, Vasquez, Martinez, Justin Guerrero, Gonzalez, Robles, Moreno, Palafos, Barron, Lopez, Jose Garcia, Alvarado, Bartlett, and Albelardo Oviedo conspired from June 2019 until April 7, 2021, to distribute methamphetamine. 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. Justin Paul Guerrero, age 26 of San Antonio; After sentencing, Murdaugh returned to the Colleton County jail to gather his possessions and will be taken to an evaluation center in Columbia for medical, mental health and education testing. That's why Sorianello had a strong message to parents: pay attention to your kids. 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. Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our citizens. It's a very complicated matter that's taking a lot of time, but there are bank records and property records and it's taking a while to sift through all the facts to show he did not do what they claim he did.. 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. Intellectuals and landholders from the state, which borders Texas, took refuge here during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900s. 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. Moyado and Cardenas were booked into the Karnes federal holding facility for possession with intent to distribute five kilos of heroin or more and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine or more, according to the BCSO. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Coahuila corruption and drug ties spread influence to San Antonio, Privately run zoos in Texas adapt to new roles. The most high-profile arrest of the money laundering investigation has been that of Villarreal, the former state treasurer. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. I think he's not guilty, so I was shocked.. I looked in his eyes. Later in the year, attention focused on Coahuila's former interim governor. 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. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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. Jesse Martinez, age 41 of San Antonio; 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. When one defendant was brought to court in San Antonio, a former U.S. congressman showed up to support him. 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. 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.. Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. The sheriffs office said most of the suspects that were arrested are documented gang members.. 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. According to court records, Haggard was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to four years imprisonment for aggravated robbery in Bexar County. "That's due to availability, the amount of fentanyl that's in the country right now. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. Shes a recreation specialist for GEO, supervising children at play, he said. 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. He said fentanyl pills are often made in backyard labs, and often pushed to young people disguised as other drugs. Drug Bust November 25, 2022 8:35 am . 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. Heather Freitag, 27, was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The street value for the drugs is estimated at $145,890. Joshua Hamilton, 30, was arrested on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm. Here's What's Up in San Diego County for July 9, 2022. Nevrez hit a . 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. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. Jonathan Linares Lumbreras aka Coahuila, 30, of San Antonio; 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. With Villarreal on the run, the lawsuits languished. Ojeda faces between 10 years and life in federal prison and Pena faces between five and 40 years in federal prison on the drug possession charge. Murdaugh's family founded the areas most powerful law firm a century ago in neighboring Hampton County. Flores had made powerful friends in the U.S., among them lobbyist and former Congressman Henry Bonilla, who showed up at his initial court appearance in San Antonio. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( That's what we're doing, he said. Ojeda faces a mandatory five years in federal prison on the gun charge upon conviction. Upon further inspection, Marijuana, Methamphetamines, Heroin and Fentanyl along . James Patric Bartlett, age 42 of San Antonio; and, Coordinated effort by law enforcement leads to major drug bust in Uvalde (SBG San Antonio) 0. Madilyn Marie Alvarado, age 26 of Del Rio Camouflaged among those escaping the more recent problems in the state are drug traffickers, unscrupulous businessmen and high-ranking Coahuila officials who laundered more than $35 million in kickbacks for state contracts, U.S. authorities say. Ricardo Gonzalez, age 24 of San Antonio; 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 Sheriff's Office. 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.. The truth is he brought shame upon himself, his family, the community, his profession, Kinsinger said. Also on the list were Villarreal, the former treasurer; Torres, the former interim governor; and Flores, the businessman who pleaded guilty in Corpus Christi. Moyer said he didn't buy them. Ashley Mendez, 28, and Ruben Zambrano, 38, were taken into custody. Lock By the time federal prosecutors charged Torres and Villarreal, Bexar County prosecutors finally had started moving their civil lawsuit forward. 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 . Prosecutor Creighton Waters noted that stare each day in court. 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. If convicted of the latest conspiracy charges, Villarreal and the others each face 10 years to life in federal prison. By then, Villarreal disappeared. A locked padlock All he had was Cablevision, but they made him a multimillionaire with enormous power. All of them were indicted on federal drug. After six weeks of trial, they came away more convinced he did not do this. Further, the indictment charges Pena with an additional one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. 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. Deputies detained her and found 5 THC vape pens on the front seat, authorities said. The Zetas in particular had spread their control to Coahuila's mining sector, Moreira said. Jason Gutierrez aka Big Mac, 37, 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. 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; They often used a network of limited liability companies that made it difficult for investigators to track the ownership of those assets. Fridays hearing again took place in a packed courtroom. 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. 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. Upon searching the vehicle, deputies found 1.2 pounds of marijuana and 47 additional vape pens in the trunk. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar says a drug operation at the home in the 100 block of Trudell was first broken up a few weeks ago when Deputies were delivering a warrant. According to Sorianello, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, over 50 times greater or stronger than heroine. The elder Villarreal was arrested in a DEA operation in which his daughter was shot and critically wounded by federal agents. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested her after the discovery of drugs, officials said. Hernandez, Haggard and Heredia were already in custody. 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. 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. A firearm was also found inside of the residence, according to officials. Rosalinda Flores, 54, of San Antonio; A major drug bust occurred in Eastland County. Bexar County prosecutors say the treasurer, Hctor Javier Villarreal Hernndez, wired millions of dollars to Texas that he received from kickbacks.