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Major Central Texas meth ring busted

11:35 PM CST on Thursday, November 16, 2006
KVUE News

Authorities say the suspects used this and other vehicles to traffic drugs from Mexico.

The bust of a major methamphetamine ring in central Texas is shedding light on the growing problem of the dangerous and addictive drug.

The Texas department of state health services says the number of meth addicts who checked into state funded clinics has tripled within the past 5-years.

Meth is a highly-addictive drug which can cause hallucinations, increased paranoia, elevated body temperatures, rashes and in some cases brain damage.

A two and-a-half year investigation by federal and local authorities has put members of an alleged central Texas drug ring behind bars.

According to the Department of Public Safety ten people are under arrest, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

The group, which worked around Travis, Williamson, Bastrop and Caldwell counties, was allegedly led by a man named Noe Perez.

During his arrest Wednesday, investigators found a major cock fighting operation at his Caldwell County ranch.

Perez will also face animal cruelty charges.

Investigators say these individuals would travel to Mexico to pick up about 25 pounds of meth each month and then bring it to central Texas.

After 2 and-a-half years, that amounts to about 11 million dollars worth of meth.

The bust is the result of a multi-agency effort.

"What it takes is dedication by various agencies and agents that put their egos and different badges aside and decide they want to work in one group - and go and lock up some drug dealers," said Jack Schumacher with the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Investigators also seized several vehicles that this group allegedly used in their drug operations as well as weapons

Officials say more arrests will come.

Those charged face a minimum of ten years in prison.

One person has not yet been arrested.

"From our position... Noe Perez and his group, organization was very prolific. Various arrests over the past few years didn't seem to slow him down, so in our minds, it's going to have a significant impact," said Jack Schumacher, DEA.

The suspects are charged with conspiracy to distribute meth.

Investigators served the arrest warrant in the investigation earlier this week, and they stumbled on a massive cockfighting operation in the process.

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KVUE's Melissa McGuire reports
Some 400 to 500 roosters were found at the "Dog Catcher Ranch" between Lockhart and Luling. Many had been chemically altered to make them more aggressive.

Authorities also say there was an arena on the property where cockfighting events took place. Roughly 30 to 60 people may have attended the Sunday fights.

"This is a large, very meticulous operation. If you look at some of the nestings and eggs, they were numbered and kept abreast on their breeding techniques so they could get a better, finer-tuned fighting bird," said Sheriff Daniel Law, Caldwell County.

Members of the SPCA from Houston spent Wednesday rounding up the birds