Good job!
Unfortunately its like fighting a Hydra, cut off one head and three more sprout.
10 arrested, indicted as cocaine ring broken
Robert Crowe: Expess-News
Robert Crowe: Expess-News
Authorities on Thursday announced the dismantling of what they called one of the city's largest-ever cocaine trafficking rings, culminating in the arrests and indictments of 10 suspected members.
Federal, state and local law enforcement officers spent three years investigating the case, dubbed "Operation Junkyard Dog," in reference to an auto salvage shop where one of the members allegedly ran the ring. The suspects were each charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, and aiding and abetting the possession with intent to deliver that amount.
If convicted, they face 10 years to life in federal prison.
If convicted, they face 10 years to life in federal prison.
"This trafficking organization is one that has been ingrained in San Antonio for some time and has been a constant threat to our community," said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.
Authorities said 10 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $1 million and about $250,000 in cash were recently seized from various properties associated with the ring. In December, authorities said they seized 11 kilograms from a related operation in Eagle Pass.
Authorities said 10 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $1 million and about $250,000 in cash were recently seized from various properties associated with the ring. In December, authorities said they seized 11 kilograms from a related operation in Eagle Pass.
Arrested and indicted were: David Valdez, of the 3900 block of Parkway; Manuel Borrego, 300 block of Kayton; Alfredo Estrada, 100 block of Querida; Kathren Borrego, 1000 block of Schley; Lisa Ann Calderon, 1300 block of Chalmers; Bernardo Martinez, 1600 block of El Monte; Danny Salinas, 700 block of Brunswick; Adrian Noriega, 500 block of San Patricio; Eddie Diaz, 800 block of Kayton; and Hector "Nalga" Mena, of the 1800 block of Ruiz.
The operation was a joint effort of the San Antonio Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.
The operation was a joint effort of the San Antonio Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.
Thomas E. Hinojosa, the DEA's assistant special agent in charge in San Antonio, said the breakup of the ring, one of the "most significant" in the city, could affect the availability of cocaine in the city.
"We've cut off that pipeline of supply," he said, "so they'll have to seek other buyers."
"We've cut off that pipeline of supply," he said, "so they'll have to seek other buyers."
The ring's scope was large for San Antonio, a city typically bypassed by larger drug rings that use Houston and Dallas as distribution hubs, authorities said. In this case, they said, drugs were smuggled from Mexico before they were cut into smaller amounts and distributed from homes and small businesses.
