|
Traffic stops yield large drug finds
By Courtney Burleson, Managing Editor
Drugs and more drugs kept area law enforcement agencies busy last week as large amounts of marijuana were confiscated in the county, along with the execution of a search warrant which revealed high power weapons and drug paraphernalia.
Eagle Lake man arrested
An Eagle Lake man was arrested on multiple drug charges this past weekend after a traffic stop uncovered large amounts of narcotics and weapons.
Anthony Michael Barrios, 32, of Eagle Lake was first arrested on Friday, July 25 after fleeing from officers during a traffic stop in the 500 block of East A. Barrios was stopped by Colorado County Sheriff's Deputy Randy Thumann around 9:49 p.m. with Eagle Police Department officer John Williams assisting.
According to reports, when officers began approaching the 1998 Chrysler Sebring driven by the suspect, Barrios fled on foot down A Street. Officers chased the suspect for about a block before apprehending him.
"Deputy Thumann grabbed Barrios and they struggled," said Eagle Lake Police Department Chief Bill Lattimore. "Officer Williams assisted and had to use an agency issued taser gun."
Barrios was then arrested on misdemeanor charges for evading arrest, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of prescription drugs and a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, 16.23 grams of powder cocaine, according to Colorado County Sheriff Department Investigator Troy Neisner.
According to Neisner, they also found a loaded 12-gauge shotgun behind the driver's seat, on the floorboard of the vehicle.
"There was also $4,303 in cash in his wallet," said Neisner.
Barrios was transported to the Colorado County Detention Center for confinement.
Neisner said information then developed that led to a search warrant being issued by Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4 Judge George Cason on Saturday, July 26. The warrant was for a residence in the 700 block of S. McCarty St. in connection with an ongoing investigation of Barrios by the ELPD and CCSD.
Members of the ELPD including the department's canine officer LuLu, CCSD and the Department of Public Safety executed the search warrant. Upon investigation, officers found a felony amount of marijuana, numerous weapons, drug paraphernalia including a book on how to manufacture methamphetamine and other narcotic substances, according to Lattimore.
Weapons found included an AK-47, Chinese SKS assault rifle, 9 mm, Tec-9 assault piston and various types of shotguns and rifles, said Lattimore.
Following the search, Barrios was arrested with felony possession of marijuana charges.
Judge Cason set a bond amount for all charges of $86,500.
The case is still under investigation with further charges pending.
"It's nice to see agencies work with each other to make significant arrests like this that help keep citizens safe and drugs off the street," said Lattimore.
Traffic stop uncovers marijuana
Two Hidalgo County men were arrested Wednesday, July 23 after 800 pounds of marijuana were allegedly confiscated from a cargo van approximately six miles outside of Columbus in the eastbound lane of Interstate 10.
Dederico Pena, 45, of Weslaco and Teodoro Gonzalez, 54, of McAllen were traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 when they were stopped by Department of Public Safety Trooper Klent Tipton for a traffic violation.
Following an investigative search, troopers discovered marijuana encaved in boxes in the back of the vehicle. Officials believe the suspects were headed to Houston.
Pena and Gonzalez were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana more than 50 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds, a second-degree felony.
The two were sent to the Colorado County jail where they remained as of press time. Both suspects have $100,000 bonds posted by Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Richard Luhrs.
The case is still under investigation.
| 
