Agents seize 20 vehicles, autographed photo of actress Sofia Vergara in drug cartel investigation

by Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Posted: 09/16/2011 09:22:03 AM MDT

Luxury watches, diamond jewelry, 20 vehicles, 30 firearms, framed "Scarface" pictures and an autographed nude photo of actress Sofia Vergara were among numerous items seized by federal agents as part of a drug cartel investigation.

Recent filings in U.S. District Court in El Paso detail a treasure-trove seized by FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents in a series of raids on used-car lots and homes in the El Paso area in February.

The wife and parents of defendant Alejandro Melendez are asking in documents that some of the goods be returned, claiming that they were bought years before any alleged criminal activity.

Melendez is accused of belonging to a marijuana and cocaine trafficking group linked to the Sinaloa drug cartel, federal agents said. Melendez is owner of Budget Auto Sales, one of three Alameda Avenue car lots raided in February by the FBI and DEA El Paso Strike Force.

Melendez has pleaded not guilty to charges of drug conspiracy.

Authorities alleged that Melendez belonged to the Adrian Nuñez operation, which is suspected of distributing more than 5 kilos of cocaine throughout the El Paso area. Nuñez and Melendez were among five men arrested in the case in February.

Federal agents raided the Budget Auto Sales car lot and a $653,000 home in the 5500 block of Woodgreen Drive in the Upper Valley, documents stated. The home is listed in property tax records as belonging to Alejandro Melendez.

The U.S. government will typically seize items thought to have been bought with ill-gotten money. The seized items are listed in court documents.
Dozens of vehicles were towed away from the car lots, including recent-model pick-ups, cars and sport utility vehicles.

In addition to firearms, jewelry and paintings, the feds hauled away furniture such as a queen-size bed from a guest room and a king-size bed from the master bedroom, mahogany-like dressers and many large television sets.

Agents seized Rolex watches, diamond necklaces, designer purses and Louis Vuitton luggage.

Agents didn't take the kitchen sink, but they took the washer, dryer, stove, microwave oven, dishwasher and refrigerator from the Woodgreen Drive home.

The government even took Melendez's wife's wedding rings.

In a court filing last month, Jessica Daniela Melendez asked that the rings be returned, stating that the diamond rings were her "possession for over 12 years and was bought and paid for before the defendant's (Alejandro Melendez) illegal conduct."

Documents stated that agents also seized several framed pictures of "Scarface," movie gangster Tony Montana from the popular 1983 film starring Al Pacino.

Agents also snared a dozen pistols, rifles and shotguns from the home of Alejandro Melendez's parents, Abel and Rosa Melendez, in Anthony, Texas. Agents also took a 2008 Cadillac Escalade that the parents want returned because they said it was their property and did not belong to their son. The parents also want the firearms returned.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_18906080