41 Indicted In Texas In Drug Ring Probe
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41 Indicted In Texas In Drug Ring Probe
Federal authorities said Wednesday 41 people have been indicted in an investigation of a drug ring that stretched from Mexico to Georgia.
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(October 29, 2008)--Federal authorities said Wednesday 41 people have been indicted in Texas in an investigation of a drug trafficking and money laundering operation that stretched from Mexico to Georgia.

The two-year investigation was called "Operation Pay Cut."

Authorities say it yielded $22 million in drug proceeds, 223 kilograms of cocaine and more than 16,000 pounds of marijuana.

Three indictments naming the participants were unsealed in federal court in Atlanta on Tuesday, but many of those arrested were in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas.

Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in San Antonio, said the indictment of so many would seriously disrupt operations.

One of the major cash seizures came in January 2007 when then-Hidalgo County sheriff's Deputy Emmanuel Sanchez was pulled over in Georgia with a pickup truck full of heavy equipment.

The Mission man allegedly showed his badge hoping to end the stop, but officers found $950,000 in cash hidden in the truck.

Sanchez, 48, is no longer a deputy.

He faces three charges related to money laundering and drug possession.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Yep Location: Killeen on Oct 31, 2008 at 12:57 PM

Wow, not often I agree with Heart of Texas and still dont understand the "back to the Future" thing, but he (she?) is absolutely cor-rect!
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Heart-Of-Texas Location: Waco on Oct 30, 2008 at 11:43 AM

Two Wrongs,, or 'more', Don't make it right,,,, Sorry!!!!! ( Cut their hands off,when they get caught). Then it 'might' stop the drugs?? Back-To-The-Future!!!
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Anonymous1 Location: Waco on Oct 30, 2008 at 11:20 AM

Although I do slightly agree with you Tomas...the law is the law. These people were busted because not only were they smuggling; they were also money laundering, bad cops involved, and selling hard drugs that eventually get back to the youth of this country. I completely agree that marijuana should be legalized...it is a cash crop that helps millions of people everyday...but until that day comes we need to keep it off the streets and away from people that bring these drugs into the schools and profit off our kids. I understand using marijuana, I dont know why it is illegal but the day will never come if violent crimes are commited with drugs involved.
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