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A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi in November charged Villarreal and Torres with money laundering and fraud. Authorities call it the largest. Each has a prior serious felony drug conviction which enhances their minimum mandatory sentence. Joe Angel Villarreal later was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for leading a large cocaine-trafficking group. When one defendant was brought to court in San Antonio, a former U.S. congressman showed up to support him. Intellectuals and landholders from the state, which borders Texas, took refuge here during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900s. They often used a network of limited liability companies that made it difficult for investigators to track the ownership of those assets. Further back, in the 1800s, Coahuila y Tejas was one state under Mexican rule. This comes as state officials said they've seen a surge in fentanyl seizures with DPS reporting a 950% increase from 2020. Jose Tabares, 53, of San Antonio During this investigation, authorities seized approximately 24 kilograms of methamphetamine, six kilograms of heroin, three kilograms of cocaine, four firearms and approximately $100,000 along with other assets attributable to this organization. "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. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. 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. A federal grand jury indictment returned in San Antonio charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine: Nowadays, its habitats, conservation and education. Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area Drug Enforcement Administration Daniel C. Comeaux Special Agent in Charge Houston @DEAHoustonDiv April 15, 2021 Contact: Sally M. Sparks Phone Number: (713) 693-3329 For Immediate Release Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area They say those millions were looted from the Coahuila government and flooded Texas starting in 2007, during the term of former Gov. His lawyer, Roy Barrera Jr., said Flores wasn't involved in public corruption or organized crime. 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. It is my understanding that the Gonzalez family has contributed greatly to the economy of San Antonio, his lawyer Carlos Quezada said. Lawyers for both men maintain they're innocent. It didn't take long to convince the other three. That fact is evident from the number of firearms recovered in this investigation - not to mention the silencers, grenade and body armor. The gang, he said, was responsible for a wave of violence that killed tens of thousand in Mexico, many in Coahuila. 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. 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. Martinez, Robles, and Jose Garcia face between 15 years and life upon conviction of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. His work for KSAT 12 and KSAT.com includes covering breaking news of the day, as well as producing Q&As and content for the "South Texas Pride" and "KSAT Money" series. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired since January 2020 to distribute cocaine. Agents arrested Lumbreras on Monday night. 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. Moreira, the former leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, is close to Mexican President Enrique Pea Nieto. BCSO says as deputies were approaching the residence, Mendez was getting in a vehicle to leave. 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. In 2011, a pair of Mexican senators called for an investigation into Chaires and his investment in real estate and in Coahuila radio and television stations. SAN ANTONIO (WOAI) More than $500,000 worth of cocaine was seized following the successful completion of a multi-agency operation in Texas. 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. 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. Some of the money came from inflated contracts, said First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg. "That's due to availability, the amount of fentanyl that's in the country right now. Deputies. On Wednesday, a joint task force including the DEA along with the sheriff's office arrested 41-year-old Francisco Ortiz. Our nation-wide commitment to reducing gun crime in America, Report Waste, Fraud, Abuse or Misconduct to the Inspector General, Find Help and Information for Crime Victims, Register, Apply for Permits, or Request Records, Monitor Selection for Corporate Criminal Enforcement. 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. 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. 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. Jason Buch is a freelance journalist based in Texas. 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.. A similar lawsuit is seeking to forfeit for $2.3 million Villarreal has in another Bermuda bank. SAN ANTONIO - Two people have been arrested following a big drug bust in a quiet neighborhood over on the East Side of the city. He's facing a federal charge of possession with an intent to distribute over 500 grams of a controlled substance, according to Salazar. A locked padlock 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. Brian Victorino Chavarria, age 24 of San Antonio; Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. The multiagency taskforce handling the case includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas attorney general's office and the Internal Revenue Service. Jesus Gerardo Vasquez, age 19 of San Antonio; Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio's properties are nominally owned by a complex structure of companies. Deputies seized four kilograms of heroin and two kilograms of cocaine in the home in addition to multiple firearms, thousands of dollars of cash and expensive clothing. 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; SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) $400,000 worth of drugs were found in an east side home today. Of the 14 people indicted Wednesday, at least 10 have been taken into custody, including Jacqueline Alvarez, 57, of San Antonio, who works for the GEO Group at the Karnes County Family. The press conference took place around 11:45 a.m. Friday in the 500 block of Porter. Hernandez, Haggard and Heredia were already in custody. Please dial 911 for emergencies or 210.207.7273 for non-emergencies. Lus Claudio Estrada aka Luz, 42, of La Joya; Some sit empty today. Michael Barron, age 39 of San Antonio; Officials seized. Monday February 10, 2003. 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. Online reports can only be completed for the following crimes where no weapon was used and no suspect information is available. Ed Rodriguez, a former IRS agent who is not involved in the case, said there could be perfectly legitimate reasons for businessmen to distance themselves from properties they own, including protection from lawsuits. The family has plenty of money from recent sales of Mexican media holdings, Ibarra said, and her boyfriend had income from running restaurants in Torren, Coahuila, and San Antonio. Murdaugh's family founded the areas most powerful law firm a century ago in neighboring Hampton County. This arrest operation also resulted in firearms, currency, and a large amount of methamphetamine being seized from these individuals. 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. Murdaugh didnt look at the sign as he was hustled into the courthouse with his head down. In 2008, Humberto Moreira named Gonzlez Trevio the state of Coahuila's spokesman in San Antonio, but it's unclear what duties he performed. 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 former governor, Eugenio Hernndez Flores, has said those allegations are false. When Humberto came into power, RCG was tiny, said Jorge Rosales Saade, an official with the opposition PAN party in Coahuila. Tracy Kinsinger came to the courthouse with a homemade sign reading Murderer that he made the night before. 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. 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.. Murdaugh's brother and surviving son sat behind him in the courtroom every day. Torres remains a fugitive in Mexico. 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. 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. Coahuila, with its large manufacturing sector and border crossings, is a major trade partner with Texas, and politically connected people from the state who are not under investigation have become close with San Antonio city leaders. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Rodger Hernandez aka Rocky, 43, of San Antonio Wynne, Villarreal's attorney who was at the hotel meeting, said he's trying to show the Texas properties were purchased with legitimate funds. 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. . The government is abusing its power, Canales wrote in one filing. Our position on behalf of Mr. Villarreal is to establish the facts and show that he is not guilty. 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. "No tears. Nicolas Rodriguez, age 39 of San Antonio; 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. Tony Canales, said Torres is innocent but won't come to the U.S. to fight the charges because he's afraid he won't get bond. Alvarez does not work for GEOs separate Karnes County Detention Center, where some federal inmates are held before trial, said her lawyer, Joey Contreras. 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. Oscar Jesus Lopez, age 23 of Laredo; I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie and I would never under any circumstances hurt my son Paul-Paul, Murdaugh responded. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Then, starting in 2006, he and his brother, Roberto Casimiro Gonzlez Trevio, went on a spending spree. They worked for him. Jonathan Linares Lumbreras aka Coahuila, 30, of San Antonio; At about 11 a.m., SLO Police. Gonzlez Fernandez, the son, has pleaded not guilty to the drug charges. Humberto Moreira. In December, six Coahuila businessmen gathered at the Hotel Contessa in downtown San Antonio. 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. The company also owns billboards around the state. 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 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. 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. Over five years, they purchased a dozen houses in San Antonio, selling off a handful and renting out others. Upon searching the vehicle, deputies found 1.2 pounds of marijuana and 47 additional vape pens in the trunk. Lastiri was sentenced to a total of 100 months in federal prison. The Murdaugh case has attracted true crime fans from around the world with its threads of power, danger, money and privilege. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. 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. In a major study released Saturday, March 4, 2023, Nexletol reduced the risk of heart attacks and other health problems in people who can't take drugs called statins, the main cholesterol-lowering . In total, officials found seven kilos of heroin and 1.5 kilos of meth, according to the BCSO. 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. 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. Salazar said the three suspects face charges of human smuggling, engaging in organized crime . San Antonio has strong historic ties to Saltillo, Coahuila's capital. The most high-profile arrest of the money laundering investigation has been that of Villarreal, the former state treasurer. The female driver was identified as Shauna Madrid, 36, from Roswell, New Mexico. San Antonio woman among 14 charged with conspiracy to distribute meth and cocaine, Privately run zoos in Texas adapt to new roles. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested her after the discovery of drugs, officials said. The U.S. By the time federal prosecutors charged Torres and Villarreal, Bexar County prosecutors finally had started moving their civil lawsuit forward. He did say this is part of a larger drug operation and the investigation is on-going. His saga began in mid-2011, when news broke of Coahuila's massive debt. Peter Karasev, 35, of San Jose, has been arrested in connection with a San Jose Police Department investigation into suspected explosives-related and illegal drug offenses, authorities said. But Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman wanted to know if he saw the mangled bodies of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh as he tried to sleep or thought about how he disgraced his family's three-generation reputation for justice through lying, stealing and eventually murder. Another $8,500 in cash was found at the home as well, according to officials. The house in Champions Ridge is owned by Raul Gonzlez Fernandez, but over the years it's been owned by his father, brother, uncle and by Vicente Chaires Yaez, Moreira's personal secretary while he was governor.