Thread: Enforcing the Law in a Sanctuary City

Four-day haul: $1 million in heroin (in San Antonio)

By Valentino Lucio and Guillermo Contreras - Express-News
Web Posted: 07/28/2010 2:12 CDT

Federal agents and Bexar County sheriff's deputies, in separate operations beginning Saturday, have seized at least $1 million worth of heroin destined for the San Antonio market.

In two of the investigations, the Bexar County Sheriff's narcotics unit arrested four people Tuesday and seized more than $320,000 worth of heroin and cocaine, officials said.

Most of that haul was associated with the arrest of Orlando Cuevas, 23, on Tuesday evening. Officers recovered more than 12 ounces of heroin, 1.6 ounces of cocaine and $9,100 in cash from two residences, Bexar County sheriff's Lt. Tammy Burr said.

Cuevas faces three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. His bail was set at $110,000.

Deputies earlier arrested Matilda Lopez, 30, and Eliseo Castillo Jr., 25, in the 1000 block of Flanders Avenue on the South Side. Lopez is accused of selling an undercover officer a half ounce of heroin, and deputies reported finding more heroin when they arrested her.

Both face a felony count of delivery of a controlled substance. Lopez also is charged with possession. Bail was set at $27,000 for Lopez and $25,000 for Castillo.

That led to the arrest of Elva Martinez, 48, at a home in the 1100 block of Shadwell Drive on possession and delivery charges because she sold them the drugs, authorities said. Officers said they seized a half ounce of heroin, an undisclosed amount of cocaine, scales and $1,900 cash. Her bail was set at $60,000.

On Saturday, federal agents arrested Gina Marie Mendoza of San Antonio as she entered Laredo from Mexico with more than 2.2 pounds of black tar heroin strapped to her waist, a court affidavit said. She cooperated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and delivered the heroin early Sunday to Cindy Villarreal and her daughter, Victoria Anne Salazar, as agents watched, the affidavit said.

All three women are charged with heroin trafficking and face 10 years to life in prison. They were released on unsecured bond after a federal court hearing Monday.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/more_t ... 86229.html

good work everyone involved