Officials say major Austin-area drug ring cracked

By Tony Plohetski
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, June 04, 2009

Traffickers had ties to Mexico, Honduras, officials say; 28 already sentenced to federal terms.

Authorities announced Wednesday that they have dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking ring with ties to Mexico and Honduras that operated in Austin and across Central Texas.

Officials said 28 defendants have already received federal prison sentences in U.S. District Court, including one who was sentenced to 27 years. They said some members of the ring were previously members of the Bloods street gang and provided drugs to current members.

Authorities said they seized $1 million in drugs — mostly cocaine — cash, cars and jewelry as part of their nearly three-year investigation.

"This is a great day for the city of Austin and Central Texas, for people who abhor violence and abhor gangs and the violence associated with narcotics and narcotics trafficking," Police Chief Art Acevedo said during a news conference, which also included representatives from police departments across the region.

Officials said that in 2006, they began an investigation into increased drug trafficking after noticing a spike in gang and drug activity in various Austin neighborhoods.

They did not name the neighborhoods, though they said the areas saw jumps in assaults, property crimes, weapons trafficking, home invasion robberies and other activities that police said are often associated with drug trafficking, police said.

FBI agent Steve Hause said investigators tried to identify suspects throughout all levels of the ring, including those who coordinated operations and those who sold drugs in Austin bars and clubs.

"It was a goal of this investigation to work it up the line to get the entire conspiracy from the street to Mexico," Hause said.

Authorities identified Duane Hosea as the organization's main leader. He received 27 years in prison.

"He was very skillful at avoiding surveillance and avoiding his telephone being intercepted," Hause said. "It took awhile to be able to learn about his organization."

Officials said most of the defendants have pleaded guilty and that the minimum sentence was three years.

"We are thankful there was no spank on the hand," Acevedo said.

tplohetski@statesman.com; 445-3605

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