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Two illegal aliens face drug charges

Published: Thursday, May 20, 2010

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By Carl Hessler Jr.

SOUDERTON - A citizen's tip resulted in the arrests of two Mexican nationals who were illegally residing in the U.S. and allegedly carrying out a marijuana operation in a Souderton home that was decorated with shrines to "Saint Death."

Alfredo Gasca, 28, and Omar Gazca-Chavez, 22, who lived in the first block of West Chestnut Street, each was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of an instrument of crime and conspiracy to distribute marijuana in connection with a raid at their home on Sunday.

Gasca also is charged with persons not to possess a firearm, while Gazca-Chavez is also charged with forgery.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said several depictions and shrines of Santa Muerte were located in the residence.

"Santa Muerte is also known as 'Saint Death.' Santa Muerte is a sacred figure venerated in Mexico. It is known by law enforcement that Santa Muerte is a popular sacred figure drug dealers pray to for the purposes of repelling police to further conduct their illegal drug dealing business," Ferman alleged.

A search of the second-floor residence resulted in the seizure of about 200 grams of marijuana, a .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun and loaded magazine and about $8,382 in cash, some of which was hidden in a compartment under floorboards, according to arrest documents.

Authorities also seized drug packaging materials, numerous cell phones, two digital scales — one of which was disguised as a cell phone — and passports from Mexico in the names of Gazca-Chavez and Gasca, according to Ferman.

Additionally, a fraudulent U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service Employment Authorization Card for one of the men was recovered in the residence, authorities alleged.

The men, who some believe may be brothers, were arraigned on the charges before District Court Judge Ester Casillo of East Norriton.

Casillo set bail for each of the men at $250,000 cash and both men were committed to the county prison in lieu of posting bail.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency has lodged deportation detainers against the men.

Both men allegedly admitted to law enforcement that they entered the U.S. illegally. Gasca allegedly told authorities he entered the U.S. when he was 5 or 6 years old and that he was deported in May 2008. However, Gasca illegally re-entered the U.S. in June 2008, according to court papers.

"This is another example of the difficulties we face in law enforcement dealing with illegal aliens coming into our country. The government deports them and they are able to walk back across the border and into our country," Ferman said.

Gasca, who allegedly admitted that the gun was his and that some of the money seized was profits from selling marijuana, is a former felon and is not permitted to have a gun, according to the arrest affidavit.

Gazca-Chavez admitted to having knowledge of marijuana being in the residence, according to court papers.

The investigation of the men began the week of May 10, when a citizen complained to county authorities that drug and gun activity was occurring at the residence.

Members of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Narcotics Enforcement Team and Souderton Police immediately responded to the complaint by conducting undercover operations that eventually resulted in authorities obtaining a warrant to search the premises.

Members of the North Penn Tactical Response Team, the Central Montgomery Special Weapons and Tactics Team and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also participated in the search of the residence at 6 a.m. Sunday, according to court papers.

In addition to Gasca and Gazca-Chavez, authorities found a third Mexican national illegally residing in the home and are currently investigating his true identity. Federal authorities have detained the third individual, who was not charged with any of the drug-related crimes, and are processing him for deportation, officials said.

Gasca and Gazca-Chavez face preliminary hearings before District Judge Kenneth Deatelhauser a 2 p.m. May 25. The case is being handled by prosecutors Nicholas Reifsnyder and Jordan Friter.