A spokesperson also presented data showing Operation Lone Star has resulted in at least 165,497 migrant apprehensions and referrals. We continue to grow our selection to accommodate each discipline of rider. (Courtesy DEA). Former Texas State Rep. Poncho Nevrez at AudioRec Productions, a recording studio in Piedras Negras, Mexico, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com, Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Authorities believe the drugs may have come from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. Southern District of Texas 1000 Louisiana, Ste. Police were posted outside a business before several officers donned white hazmat suits and entered. Orlando Candelario Almanza, 49, Edinburg, and Fidencio Salinas Jr., 51, Pharr, are set to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano at 9:30 a.m. today. A locked padlock This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. An agent on scene told ABC13 it involves the manufacturing of pills, possibly fentanyl. Gamez stored the cocaine at his residence prior to transport, according to the charges. Stay Connected. "We take one of these seizures and try to expand the network, try to identify perhaps what other ones have gotten through.". On Wednesday, July 13, CBP officers seized more than $691,000 worth of cocaine after inspecting a 2003 Freightliner tractor crossing the World Trade Bridge from Mexico. Texas law enforcement agencies have made multiple drug busts in the past week, seizing a combined total of roughly $4.4 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine. If convicted they face between 10 years to life in federal prison. During the operation Tuesday, officers also found over 100 kilograms combined of suspected cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana in addition to 39 firearms. The Tulia drug bust of 1999 was a major drug sting that occurred in the town of Tulia, the county seat of Swisher County, and subsequently caught national attention and criticism for convictions and harsh sentences based on scant evidence and questionable undercover work. Law enforcement officers seized nearly 40 pounds of methamphetamine, 26 ounces of marijuana, nearly $18,000 in suspected drug proceeds, a Glock pistol and an AR-15 style weapon. The indictment alleges the suspects engaged in a variety of fentanyl, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana transactions. The Otterson Lake Farm team has truly flourished over the past 10 years and we look forward to an even brighter future. In the summer of 1999, police in the tiny town of Tulia carried out one of the largest drug stings in West Texas history. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Fifty people were taken into custody Tuesday after authorities said they seized more than 150 kilograms of cocaine, over 140 kilograms of meth and a list of other drugs. She took a Percocet, and it was laced with fentanyl.. and that took her life, said Patricia Saldivar. WebAUSTIN, Texas Federal authorities arrested 21 people believed to be involved in drug trafficking on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice. They were just some of the items seized as part of a multi-agency investigation called Operation Spiderweb. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia is prosecuting the case. Greg Abbott. The vehicle was referred for secondary inspection and an officer discovered about 181 pounds of what appeared to be methamphetamine hidden inside the vehicle, CBP said. Around $120,000 worth of methamphetamine. Many of the students who were buying the drugs were not trying to get high but were trying to make it through final exams,according to investigators. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Hidalgo County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and FBI conducted the investigation. Other drugs seized within that area include marijuana (13,494 pounds), cocaine (2,430 pounds), meth (1,647 pounds), and heroin (37 pounds). A major drug bust occurred in Eastland County. Officers seized the narcotics and the trailer. Pills purchased through social media arent what you think, one person said in a Challenge of Tarrant County video. Striding for Equine Excellence! "The Yellow Rose of Texas is safer today as we bring justice to those drug traffickers who want to poison our communities and profit from those who struggle with addiction. Highly addictive, Fentanyl highly deadly, said Whipple. Now he's found a new voice in recovery. Houston city council tables vote on Hobby Airport restaurant contract, Georgia star Jalen Carter charged with racing in fatal wreck, Contractor dies after electric shock at Texas City Marathon refinery. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. Further tests will be done on the narcotics. If convicted, they all face up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine. The drug ring reportedly worked out of several locations;some were used to grow marijuana and one elaborate manufacturing sitein Dripping Springs hada press used to make pills. WebOn Wednesday, authorities seized 1,789 pounds of methamphetamines in the north Houston area, as well as large quantities of other narcotics, according to a tweet from the Eight of the accused are current or former UT students;majoring in studies like mathematics, chemistry, psychology, and business. A group known as Challenge of Tarrant County sent out PSAs asking parents to keep on eye on their children's social media activity. The individuals arrested in the Houston area are expected to make appearances before a judge at 2 p.m. Wednesday. All rights reserved. Some allegedly conspired to commit money laundering and illegally transferred money from the U.S. to Mexico to promote the illicit drug smuggling activities, authorities said. The fentanyl crisis is claiming far too many young Texans, Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted Wednesday. The sheriff's office said it worked with agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Dallas and Flower Mound police departments to serve multiple federal search warrants throughout the North Texas area. Law enforcement seized approximately 60 kilograms of cocaine these individuals allegedly trafficked. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said its Dallas ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. A large amount of drugs were stacked on and around a tableset up at the Homer Thornberry Federal Judicial Building Friday morning. (CBP). or redistributed. WebDozens Charged in Texas Drug-Trafficking Bust Unsealing a 43-count indictment, federal agents said they had arrested 43 people Wednesday morning and seized millions of The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is seeing a record number of seizures of fentanyl. Legal Statement. In addition to the drugs found, authorities said they also found 39 firearms. "But what ends up happening with a lot of these is they end up leading to death because people don't know these are in the drugs they're ingesting.". The warrants led to authorities seizing 15,000 fentanyl pills and arresting 11 suspects. "They try and sell it as 'synthetic heroin' in order to increase their profits," DPS seized drug system trainer Jennifer Hatch said. //-->,