The drug bust led deputies to search another residence in the 100 block of Seashell Place in west San Antonio. Drug Bust November 25, 2022 8:35 am . 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. 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 elder Villarreal was arrested in a DEA operation in which his daughter was shot and critically wounded by federal agents. 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. It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Deputies detained Ashley Mendez, 28, and Ruben Zambrano, 38, in a West Bexar County drug bust. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. 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. Both arrests were in connection with the drug bust, the sheriffs office said. Nicolas Rodriguez, age 39 of San Antonio; All other crimes require an officer to make the scene. Aug. 2, 2014 Updated: Aug. 4, 2014 11 a.m. Facebook Twitter Email. 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 This arrest operation also resulted in firearms, currency, and a large amount of methamphetamine being seized from these individuals. Joel Villarreal aka Gordo, 49, of San Antonio; By the time federal prosecutors charged Torres and Villarreal, Bexar County prosecutors finally had started moving their civil lawsuit forward. A locked padlock Interviews, court documents, property records and regulatory filings show that those under investigation built a sprawling business network in Texas, including commercial real estate developments, private residences and restaurants. 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. A major drug bust occurred in Eastland County. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. 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. This is a carousel. And that was the reason they offered it, Griffin said. Tuesday, June 22nd 2021. Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT. 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. A similar lawsuit is seeking to forfeit for $2.3 million Villarreal has in another Bermuda bank. It happened Friday in Atascosa County where the. Shes a recreation specialist for GEO, supervising children at play, he said. Jesse Martinez, age 41 of San Antonio; Justin Paul Guerrero, age 26 of San Antonio; Instructions. 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. 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. The prosecutors' deposition request included a list of people and entities they would be asking about, including the Moreira brothers, their nephew, a number of Villarreal's family members, Chaires, Humberto Moreira's former secretary, and Roberto Casimiro Gonzalez Trevio, the Coahuila cable magnate whose nephew was arrested in San Antonio and whose brother served as the state's spokesman here. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) A big drug bust on San Antonio's North side. SAN ANTONIO - Two people have been arrested following a big drug bust in a quiet neighborhood over on the East Side of the city. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) $400,000 worth of drugs were found in an east side home today. The indictment accuses the defendants of conspiring to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Midwestern and Southern U.S. During a year-long investigation culminating in coordinated raids this week, law enforcement officers led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized 23 kilos of cocaine, more than 30 pounds of hydroponic marijuana, 100 kilos of methamphetamine, along with firearms and $359,000 in cash. Also among the defendants is Joe Angel Villarreal, 55. 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. The situation is politically fraught. Juan Carlos Robles, age 35 of San Antonio; 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. Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our citizens. Heather Freitag, 27, was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. The indictment also charges Haggard with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, namely a Taurus semi-automatic pistol on August 28, 2020. Oswaldo Jesus Lopez, age 26 of Laredo; Omar Cuellar, 47, of San Antonio. 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. U.S. authorities were ramping up their investigation after Gonzalez's arrest on drug charges. The press conference took place around 11:45 a.m. Friday in the 500 block of Porter. The street value for the drugs is estimated at $145,890. 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. 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 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. The most high-profile arrest of the money laundering investigation has been that of Villarreal, the former state treasurer. The multiagency taskforce handling the case includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas attorney general's office and the Internal Revenue Service. You have to have a federal and state license for that. Intellectuals and landholders from the state, which borders Texas, took refuge here during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900s. Oscar Jesus Lopez, age 23 of Laredo; 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. Thanks to the excellent work of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, our community is safer today, stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. Four others were arrested after deputies returned to the residence with a search warrant and found two more kilos of heroin. In total, officials found seven kilos of heroin and 1.5 kilos of meth, according to the BCSO. The DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue any individual or organization that threatens the well-being and stability of our communities.. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office conducted the drug bust in the 500 block of Porter Street. Records show he was released in July 2019. 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. I think he's not guilty, so I was shocked.. He's the one that made all this mess.. Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved. The BCSOs Gang Unit and Organized Crime Unit handled the investigation of the drug bust. Some of the money came from inflated contracts, said First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg. The bust happened at 523 Porter St. early Friday. As Torren businessman Guillermo Flores Cordero stepped off a private jet in August at San Antonio International Airport, federal agents were waiting to take him to Corpus Christi to face charges that he illegally used shell companies to transfer millions of dollars from Mexico to the U.S. for others. Map: See the San Antonio ties of Coahuilan politicians and businessmen, some of whom prosecutors say laundered millions of dollars in South Texas. They often used a network of limited liability companies that made it difficult for investigators to track the ownership of those assets. He liked to stare me down as he would walk by me during this trial. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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. Sorianello said he couldn't divulge how they were able to track down the suspected drug dealer or if additional arrests are pending. 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. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired since January 2020 to distribute cocaine. Jason Buch, Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News. 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. Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. The DEA, U.S. Brian Victorino Chavarria, age 24 of San Antonio; Homero Garcia, age 36 of San Antonio; Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. 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. Salazar said Moreira deserves more scrutiny because the state's debt and the allegations of theft happened on his watch. UVALDE Texas - A major drug bust has happened Tuesday morning in Uvalde . "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. Javier Armando Casas, 40, of Pharr; Some sit empty today. A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi in November charged Villarreal and Torres with money laundering and fraud. He quickly left Mexico for the U.S. and showed up in East Texas in February 2012 where he was again arrested. He pleaded guilty to operating a money transmitting business without a license, Barrera said. Meanwhile, the U.S. investigation sprawled. The girl was shot when she drove her fathers car out of their house at San Joaquin and Motes streets. Gonzlez Fernandez, the son, has pleaded not guilty to the drug charges. Plus, Rooftop Cinema extends screenings until September. 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. 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. 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. There were no guns, no drugs.. Photo: KTSA/Dennis Foley. 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. That's it. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. As the investigation continued, several others were also arrested. DRUG BUST: The Crystal City Police Department Special Response Team recovered and seized numerous amounts of drugs Wednesday. It is my understanding that the Gonzalez family has contributed greatly to the economy of San Antonio, his lawyer Carlos Quezada said. 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. 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. Officials seized. That's why Sorianello had a strong message to parents: pay attention to your kids. "That's due to availability, the amount of fentanyl that's in the country right now. 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. 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.. 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. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Nowinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. 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. SAN ANTONIO (WOAI) More than $500,000 worth of cocaine was seized following the successful completion of a multi-agency operation in Texas. An official website of the United States government. What's known is this: the Gonzlezes control a media empire in Mexico and in recent years extended their influence across the border. Frank Zepeda aka Pancho, 51, of San Antonio The U.S. Joe Angel Villarreal later was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for leading a large cocaine-trafficking group. His high-powered attorney, J.A. All are from San Antonio. Now he's found a new voice in recovery. 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. Today, it has large office buildings in Saltillo and hangars at the city airport. 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. SAN ANTONIO A 32-year-old San Antonio woman was sentenced to more than eight years in prison on Tuesday after she was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( 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. In a month or so, he will move to a maximum security state prison like all new inmates serving life sentences. An official website of the United States government. The company also owns billboards around the state. Fridays hearing again took place in a packed courtroom. They worked for him. A simple drug bust. Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. 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. Deputies and Drug Enforcement Administration agents discovered the lab Thursday night after the arrest of 39-year-old Jose . It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. 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. 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. The nighttime stakeout targeted her father. Murdaugh's brother and surviving son sat behind him in the courtroom every day. 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. 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. His lawyer, Roy Barrera Jr., said Flores wasn't involved in public corruption or organized crime. 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. Joseph Richard Guerrero, age 28 of San Antonio; It is our position that it's just a front for money laundering, Herberg said. 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. I was shocked, Ibarra said of her boyfriend's arrest. Albelardo Oviedo, age 29 of San Antonio. 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. 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. Gutierrez faces between five and 40 years upon conviction. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. 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. Those five defendants were already in custody. OCDETF Lead Task Force Attorney Adrin Rosales is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( "They take a pill which seems very simple, never done that in their life, and they simply dont wake up.". 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. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in order to enhance the quality of life for the citizens in the San Antonio region.. When one defendant was brought to court in San Antonio, a former U.S. congressman showed up to support him. Yesterday, federal, state and local authorities arrested nine defendants. 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.
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