Drug cartel busted in Tyler

Posted: Jan 10, 2012 3:40 PM PST Updated: Jan 10, 2012 7:20 PM PST
By Melanie Torre - email

TYLER, TX (KLTV) -
Two people have been indicted on drug charges following a two-and-a-half-year investigation that uncovered a Mexican drug cartel facility in North Tyler.

According to court documents the so-called "ranch" was located on County Road 489, just off Highway 69 south of I-20.

Documents say the facility in Tyler was used to clean large amounts of methamphetamine before taking the drugs to Dallas to sell.

The group working here was called the La Familia Drug Cartel.

Officials say large amounts of drugs were concealed at the Tyler property.

In the affidavit, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agents say they found about 50 empty fingernail polish and alcohol bottles that were used in the final stages of cleaning the meth.

Investigators also found a large number of fire arms and cocaine on the property.

We're told between the Tyler property and another property in Dallas, 16 members of this cartel were arrested.

In all, agents seized about $700 in cash, 75 fire arms, 20 pounds of meth and a kilogram of cocaine.
Authorities tell us that if convicted, each suspect could not only face possible life in prison, but they could also each face a 10 million dollar fine.

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