Recent DEA raids in Laredo targeted ‘known cocaine trafficker’
The recent drug raids reported in Laredo targeted "a known Laredo, Texas-based cocaine trafficker," according to an arrest affidavit.
Juan Jose Castañeda was arrested on the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
On Sept. 26, DEA special agents set up surveillance on a known "cocaine trafficker" identified as Castañeda and a co-conspirator.
During surveillance, Castañeda met with the co-conspirator at Chelo's Groceries and Novelties, which is owned and operated by Castañeda, authorities said.
Special agents and task force officers observed Castañeda and the co-conspirator depart Chelo's. They drove in tandem to Castañeda's residence.
Surveillance units observed them depart together and return moments later. Then, both departed the home in separate vehicles.
Special agents observed Castañeda place a light blue box into a dark blue Dodge Ram. Castañeda drove down the road and parked the Ram.
He then removed the light blue box from the Ram and placed it inside a gold Chrysler Town and Country. Castañeda then drove away in the Chrysler.
As law enforcement maintained surveillance, they observed that Castañeda began driving erratically. Castañeda then abandoned the van in the area of the Lyon Skate Park, according to court documents.
Castañeda ran toward Zacate Creek and absconded in a residence, authorities said.
Meanwhile, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and special agents approached the abandoned van, where authorities discovered the light blue box in plain view. A K-9 unit then alerted to possible controlled substances within the van.
Further inspection of the box resulted in the seizure of five bundles of cocaine. The cocaine weighed 5 kilograms. Meanwhile, Castañeda was eventually located and arrested.
While Castañeda was absconding, a vehicle was seen speeding toward Castañeda's residence. Special agents approached the driver as he was exiting the vehicle at the home.
The driver stated that Castañeda had called him to go to his house "for an urgent matter," according to court documents.
A concerned citizen then approached authorities while they were speaking to the driver. The concerned citizen stated that there was a backpack near Castañeda's residence but not on his property, the affidavit states.
Agents secured the area and seized the backpack. The backpack contained five more bundles of cocaine weighing more than 5 kilograms, authorities said.
In a post-arrest interview, Castañeda admitted that he and the co-conspirator were at the residence earlier in the day. Castañeda and the co-conspirator placed five bundles of cocaine in the box and the other five bundles of cocaine in the backpack, the affidavit states.
"Castañeda stated that he and (the co-conspirator) were going to sell each kilogram of cocaine for between $12,000 to $13,000. Castañeda stated that at the time he abandoned the van, he was driving to deliver the (five) bundles of cocaine to a buyer," states the affidavit.
This story was originally published October 6, 2024, 10:47 AM.
