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• Man sentenced in murder-for-hire plot Play Video

  June 8, 2013 9:09 AM

  LAREDO, Texas (AP) - A Colorado man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking and murder-for-hire case in South Texas. A federal judge in Laredo on Friday sentenced Shavar Davis of Denver. Davis last August pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with... more »

• Officials Ask Landlords to Help Prevent Stash Houses Play Video

  May 28, 2013 7:23 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - Authorities say landlords must do their part to avoid having their properties turned into stash houses. Robert Garza said his tenants turned his house at 601 Thornwood in Mission into a stash house. Police and Border Patrol agents found nearly 50 illegal immigrants hiding in the... more »

• 3,700 Pounds of Marijuana Found Inside Country Club Home

  May 27, 2013 4:14 PM

  MISSION - Police are investigating after thousands of pounds of marijuana were found inside a country club home. Mission police responded to reports of men breaking into a home at Cimarron Country Club last night. They didn't find anyone inside the house, but police did find 3,700 pounds of... more »

• Authorities Seize 2 Tons of Pot in La Feria Play Video

  May 20, 2013 7:33 PM

  CAMERON COUNTY - State and federal authorities seized two tons of marijuana from a bunker in La Feria. Officials said the $1.6-million load is linked to two men who fled from authorities last week after a chase in Mercedes. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and Border Patrol agents... more »

• Deputies Find Marijuana after Responding to Robbery Call Play Video

  May 20, 2013 4:16 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - Authorities have launched an investigation into a possible drug stash house near Weslaco. Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies were called to the house on Midway and Mile 5 roads for a robbery. The deputies questioned the homeowner and found discrepancies in his story. Deputies got a search... more »

• Racetrack Owner Guilty of Laundering Drug Money Play Video

  May 9, 2013 5:01 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A brother of two top leaders for one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico was convicted Thursday of buying racehorses to hide illegal drug profits. A federal jury that deliberated for about nine hours over two days found Jose Trevino Morales, 46, guilty of... more »

• Million Dollar Bond Set for Former District Clerk Play Video

  May 4, 2013 9:52 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - Officials have set the bond for former Hidalgo County District Clerk Omar Guerrero high to keep him behind bars. Hidalgo County Sheriff's Deputies executed several warrants at Guerrero's home Friday. During the search investigators found a rifle with an altered serial number and cocaine. Justice... more »

• Pharmacists Warn About Dangers of Buying Medicine at Flea Markets Play Video

  May 3, 2013 8:49 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - Merchants who sell Mexican prescription drugs at flea markets are violating the law, local pharmacists said. Pharmacists said the drugs can pose a serious health threat to those who buy them. Flea market merchants offer everything from heart medication to birth control and pain pills.... more »

• Sheriff: Cartels Resorting to Scare Tactics Play Video

  April 26, 2013 7:46 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - An increase in the confiscation of drug loads may be driving cartels to resort to scare tactics, officials said. Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino said the Rio Grande Valley's law enforcement community has received threats about poison-laced drug loads. Trevino said the cartels may be... more »

• Drug Cartels Issue Threat to Valley Authorities Play Video

  April 26, 2013 4:12 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - Authorities say drug cartels may be lacing drug packages with poison. Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino said his deputies have been instructed to handle confiscated bundles with care. Trevino said cartel operatives made the threat to American law enforcement. The sheriff said his deputies... more »

• Police Seize Marijuana After Chase Play Video

  April 25, 2013 7:34 PM

  EDINBURG - A man is behind bars after leading police on a chase through three Hidalgo County cities. La Joya police said the suspect hit a truck before crashing into a car dealership on FM 492. The driver tried to flee on foot, but was quickly arrested. Police... more »

• 4 valley people linked to large drug operation in Austin Play Video

  April 13, 2013 9:48 AM

  AUSTIN - Four out of 37 people named in a federal indictment from a large-scale drug operation in Central Texas are from the valley. They are Stephanie Blanco and Blanca Briseño from La Joya and Jamie Eguia and Enrique Aavala from Brownsville. Federal prosecutors said the operation was... more »

• Suspected Car Thief Out of Hospital Play Video

  April 12, 2013 12:54 PM

  EDINBURG - A suspected car thief is out of the hospital and will be charged later today. Police said they couldn't charge him in the case yesterday, because he was under the influence of drugs. The man led officers on a chase through Hidalgo County yesterday, after allegedly stealing a... more »

• Feds Seek to Seize Suspect's Home Play Video

  April 11, 2013 8:38 PM

  McALLEN - The daughter of an alleged drug kingpin on Thursday said her family was not aware of any investigation against her father. The woman told CHANNEL 5 NEWS her father is a Mexican businessman. The federal government, on the other hand, claims he is the leader of a... more »

• 7 Ex-Correction Officers Plead Guilty

  April 4, 2013 12:25 PM

  CORPUS CHRISTI - Seven ex-correction officers pleaded guilty in a racketeering case that involved the McConnell Unit in Beeville. Thirty people were taken into custody in connection with the case in February. That included 17 former Texas Department of Criminal Justice officers. According to the indictment, correction officers smuggled... more »

• Mexican Cartels Expanding Operations in the United States Play Video

  April 1, 2013 7:48 PM

  WESLACO - Mexican drug cartels are spreading their reach deep into the United States, the Associated Press reported Monday. The report states that cartels are actively setting up operations in the United States. "They've been here for some time," Stratfor Cartel Analyst Scott Steward said. Stratfor is a... more »

• Another Ex-Sheriff's Deputy Charged in Drug Conspiracy Play Video

  April 1, 2013 1:03 PM

  MCALLEN - Another former Hidalgo County sheriff's deputy has been charged in connection with a drug conspiracy. Jorge Garza was taken into custody this morning. He's accused of working with a drug trafficker to make it appear as if drug loads were seized by authorities. According to prosecutors, Fernando... more »

• More Than 900 Pounds of Marijuana Found at a Home Play Video

  March 31, 2013 10:48 PM

  MCALLEN - The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office narcotics unit is looking for the people responsible for 900 pounds of marijuana found at a home. Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño told CHANNEL 5 NEWS they received a tip that a truck loaded with bundles of marijuana was at a home... more »

• More Than $3 Million Worth of Drugs Seized Play Video

  March 25, 2013 1:14 PM

  MISSION - CBP officers seized more than 38 packages of cocaine and heroin at the Anzalduas International Bridge Saturday afternoon. The drugs have an estimated value of more than three million dollars. The drugs were found during an inspection of a 2010 Honda, driven by a Mexican national. After... more »

• Drug Bundle found in Brownsville Storm Drain Play Video

  March 19, 2013 12:38 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Police are investigating, after a bundle of drugs was found in a Brownsville storm drain. The drugs were found near Hope Park. CHANNEL 5 NEWS learned Border Patrol agents had responded to the area earlier this morning and recovered several bundles of drugs from the river. They... more »

• Break-In Leads Officers to Stash House Play Video

  February 22, 2013 1:40 PM

  SAN JUAN - Police are looking for the owners of a San Juan home used to stash and grow drugs. Police found the drugs in the home after a break-in last night. We're told the three men stole drugs from the home on Bluebird Street. Police arrested one of... more »

• Smuggling Suspect Linked to Corrupt Lawmen

  February 13, 2013 7:43 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - A suspect arrested last week during a raid near San Carlos may have been working with corrupt lawmen, federal records show. A criminal complaint shows Fernando Guerra Sr., 48, of Edinburg, is suspected of leading a drug-trafficking organization. He is accused of stealing from rival groups... more »

• Laredo Residents Cope with Cartel Wars Play Video

  February 12, 2013 8:25 PM

  LAREDO - Escalating violence along the U.S.-Mexico border in the Webb County area has many residents on edge. Still, many are venturing south of the border despite the raging cartel wars. Many said the regular cross-border trips are a way of life. "I went today to visit family,"... more »

• CBP Officers discover meth in car battery Play Video

  February 3, 2013 10:12 AM

  HIDALGO - Customs and Border Protection Officers seized nearly 10 pound of methamphetamine at the Hidalgo International Bridge on Friday. Officers found the drugs stashed inside a car battery of a Dodge pick up truck. The drugs have a street value of $150,000. A Mexican national was arrested. He... more »

• Police Find Marijuana after Chase in Sullivan City Play Video

  January 15, 2013 4:07 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - A man has been charged after police found marijuana in his pickup truck following a chase in Sullivan City, officials said. The chase happened on Monday and ended in a wreck just east of the Sullivan City municipal boundaries. Police said the suspect, Pedro Moreno Jr.,... more »

• Tip Leads to Raid in Weslaco Play Video

  January 8, 2013 8:23 PM

  WESLACO - Police on Tuesday released new details on a raid at an upper-scale neighborhood Monday night in Weslaco. Police said a concerned citizen is credited with the raid. Officials said the resident informed police three months ago about suspicious activities at the house raided Monday in the Westgate... more »

• Arrested Officer Was Assigned to ICE Drug Task Force Play Video

  December 13, 2012 10:44 PM

  MISSION - One of four lawmen arrested on drug charges Wednesday was working with a federal drug task force, officials said. Alexis Espinoza was working with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement task force. He also was a Mission police officer, Mission Police Chief Martin Garza said. Espinoza, Jonathan... more »

• Rio Grande City Uses Old Law to Confiscate Suspicious Truck Play Video

  November 29, 2012 7:41 PM

  STARR COUNTY - Rio Grande City police investigators used an old state law to confiscated a truck with suspected drug compartments, even when there were no drugs in the vehicle. An officer pulled over a welding truck and quickly noticed something was not right. "The bed has been... more »

• Marijuana Found in Strawberry Load Play Video

  November 28, 2012 4:19 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - Customs and Border Protection officers on Tuesday seized more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana in Pharr. The bundles of drugs were stashed in a load of frozen strawberries. Officers at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge said the drugs were in a 1996 Kenworth tractor-trailer. Officers confiscated... more »

• Chase Ends in Drug Bust Play Video

  November 27, 2012 1:04 PM

  MISSION - Authorities in Mission cleared the scene of a rollover accident that started as a chase. Palmview police tried pulling over the driver of an older model Tahoe this morning. Someone reported the vehicle to officers, after noticing bundles inside the car. The driver of the vehicle... more »

• Mexican Military Arrests More Than 58 People Play Video

  November 25, 2012 9:53 PM

  MEXICO CITY - The military in Mexico reports high numbers of arrest and seizures. They reported catching 58 people and confiscating a large stash from the arrest. They had gathered a large arsenal of weapons, vehicles and drugs. Along with the drugs and weapons, they also reportedly have... more »

• Four Arrested, Caught With Marijuana at the River Levee Play Video

  November 17, 2012 9:38 PM

  Cameron County- Two men and two juveniles are arrested for possession of marijuana. Border Patrol Agents handed over two men and two juveniles Brownsville Police. Brownsville Police says the four were caught with four bundles of marijuana weighing more than 200 pounds. The subjects, 44-year-old Hector Rodriguez and... more »

• Ringleader in Drug Smuggling Operation Sentenced Play Video

  November 7, 2012 1:15 PM

  MCALLEN - A judge handed down a life sentence to the leader of a drug smuggling ring. Rigoberto Munoz-Vargas admitted to planning to deliver a shipment of pure meth to his girlfriend's apartment in Houston. The investigation that spanned two and a half years revealed Munoz-Vargas and his... more »

• More Than 500 Pounds of Drugs Recovered After Mission Chase Play Video

  November 5, 2012 1:18 PM

  MISSION - A morning chase ended with a suspected smuggler in custody. It started when Mission officers tried to stop a driver who disregarded a stop sign. It happened just north of the abandoned Pepe's on the River restaurant. Police said the man tried driving his car into... more »

• State Troopers Find $2 Million in Cocaine Play Video

  November 1, 2012 1:05 PM

  EDINBURG - State troopers arrested a 45-year-old man after a drug bust Thursday in Edinburg. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers said they found $2 million worth of cocaine at the home on the 1600 block of Clay Street. Investigators are trying to identify another substance they found at... more »

• Two men caught with 20 pounds of cocaine Play Video

  October 28, 2012 10:45 AM

  LAREDO - Two men are facing drug charges after they are caught with more than 20 pounds of cocaine strapped to their legs. They were busted by Border patrol agents at the Laredo bus station. Agents say during inspections they noticed something bulky under their clothes. The drugs are... more »

• Border Patrol, Smugglers Exchange Gunfire Near Los Ebanos Play Video

  October 22, 2012 10:27 PM

  LOS EBANOS - Five Mexican nationals are facing charges after a shootout between Border Patrol agents and drug smugglers near Los Ebanos. Border Patrol officials said agents exchanged gunfire with someone on the Mexican side of the border. The incident happened at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday downriver from... more »

• 2 Arrested After Chase in La Joya Play Video

  October 22, 2012 10:04 PM

  LA JOYA - Two people are behind bars after leading police on a chase south of La Joya. Police responded to a tip about a suspicious vehicle leaving the river banks. Officers tried to pull over the female driver but she sped off. The chase ended near the... more »

• Deputy Arrested for Trying to Buy Cocaine Play Video

  October 16, 2012 1:05 PM

  ALAMO - An Hidalgo County sheriff's deputy is accused of trying to buy cocaine. Albert Cortez was arrested outside a convenience store in Alamo. Officials from the sheriff's department said he accepted two grams of cocaine from an undercover officer. After Cortez's arraignment, he was fired from the... more »

• Jury Deliberating Drug Case Tied to Gulf Cartel Play Video

  September 28, 2012 3:50 PM

  Jury Deliberating Drug Case Tied to Gulf Cartel BROWNSVILLE (AP) - A federal jury is deliberating the case of a Mexican Gulf cartel boss accused of conspiring to import and distribute drugs. Closing arguments Friday in the Brownsville trial of Juan Roberto Rincon-Rincon made clear that incriminating statements he made... more »

• Police Arrest 4 After Drug Raid Play Video

  September 21, 2012 9:44 PM

  SAN JUAN - Four people are behind bars following a raid at a suspected drug house Friday in San Juan. Police said the house had been under surveillance for the past three days. San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez said several tips led them to the house, on... more »

• 2 Charged in Meth Case Play Video

  September 18, 2012 5:20 PM

  HARLINGEN - Two men are behind bars after they allegedly sold more than 13 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to an undercover agent. The arrests were part of a sting operation in Harlingen. A judge on Tuesday arraigned Jose Garcia Guerrero and Hector Conde Chong on drug charges in... more »

• 16 bodies found across northeast Mexico, 1 hanged Play Video

  September 15, 2012 9:36 AM

  CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) - Officials say 16 bodies have been found dumped across a turbulent Mexican state on the Texas border two days after the arrest of one of the region's top drug bosses. Analysts predicted that the arrest of Gulf cartel head Eduardo Costilla Sanchez could set off... more »

• Agents Break Up Drug Operation Play Video

  September 13, 2012 10:54 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Federal agents on Thursday broke up a drug and money remittance ring. Prosecutors said the drug conspiracy ran from January, 2009 through May of this year. Agents arrested four men on drug conspiracy and possession charges. Three of the suspects are from Brownsville. The fourth suspect... more »

• Mexico, US Intensify Cartel Takedowns Ahead of PRI's Return to Power Play Video

  September 12, 2012 7:24 PM

  WESLACO - American drug agents and Mexican intelligence officers are in the middle of cartel takedowns, officials said. Mexican officials arrested several key cartel figures and extradited them to the United States to face charges. The latest high-profile arrest was that of Jesus Rejon Aguilar, also known as "El... more »

• Narco-Terrorism Topic of Binational Conference Play Video

  August 23, 2012 5:43 PM

  SAN ANGELO - A narco-terrorism conference brought together law enforcement and government officials from both sides of the border. The three-day conference addressed the cartel wars. Officials had the opportunity to share information and talk about ways to work together to minimize narco-terror in Mexico and the U.S. ... more »

• House Fire Leads to Drug Arrest Play Video

  August 22, 2012 8:18 AM

  EDINBURG - A fire led authorities to four bags of marijuana. One person is now in custody. Fire crews responded to a blaze at an Edinburg home overnight. Edinburg Fire Chief Shawn Snider said it happened at a home on 4th Street and Hill. He told us a candle... more »

• La Joya ISD Uses Drug-Sniffing Dogs Play Video

  August 21, 2012 8:53 PM

  LA JOYA - School officials have implemented the use of drug-sniffing dogs to curb drug use and trafficking among students. The dogs are trained to find what officers may not notice with the naked eye, said Raul Gonzalez, La Joya Independent School District police chief. Gonzalez said students... more »

• Autopsy Ordered for Man Who Collapsed, Died Play Video

  August 20, 2012 12:50 PM

  WESLACO - An autopsy was ordered for a man who collapsed north of Weslaco and later died at the hospital. A preliminary investigation shows Jose Rivera had very high levels of drugs in his system. Deputies said the 28-year-old collapsed, after he told witnesses he was being chased. ... more »

• Man Charged in Facebook Drug Case Play Video

  August 17, 2012 5:13 PM

  SAN JUAN - A man accused of promoting drug sales on Facebook has been charged with delivery of marijuana in a drug-free zone. Police on Thursday arrested Esteban Vela, 22, during a raid. Officials said he advertised the sale of marijuana and cocaine through his Facebook page. Officials... more »

• Call about Shots Fired Leads to Drug Bust Play Video

  August 17, 2012 1:24 PM

  PHARR - Reports of a shooting led Pharr police officers to nearly 700 pounds of marijuana. A caller told police the driver of a green Jeep fired shots. Officers found the vehicle. The driver tried to run away. He ditched the vehicle on the 100 block of St. John... more »

• Mexican Military Confiscates 2 Tons of Pot Play Video

  August 15, 2012 7:25 PM

  HIDALGO - Mexican military officials confiscated more than 2 tons of marijuana destined for Rio Grande Valley Streets. Mexican soldiers found the drugs in a tractor-trailer at a checkpoint near Reynosa. Mexican officials said the driver was headed to an international crossing in Reynosa. Officials confiscated the tractor-trailer... more »

• Mexican Military Seizes More Than 2 Tons of Marijuana Play Video

  August 15, 2012 1:15 PM

  NEAR REYNOSA - The Mexican military seized more than two tons of marijuana destined for the Rio Grande Valley. Mexican military personnel found the drugs in a big rig at a checkpoint leading to Reynosa. We're told the driver was headed toward a Reynosa crossing. Along with the... more »

• Texas officials seize 30,000 marijuana plants Play Video

  August 11, 2012 9:35 AM

  CONROE, Texas (AP) - A multi-agency task force has removed more than 30,000 marijuana plants growing along a creek bank in the remote woods of Southeast Texas and is in the process of destroying them. Polk County Sherriff Kenneth Hammack said Friday that there were so many plants it took... more »

• Arizona couple tries to smuggle drugs with fish Play Video

  August 11, 2012 9:32 AM

  LUKEVILL, Ariz. - A Scottsdale, Arizona man and woman were arrested this week for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 47 pounds of marijuana into the U.S. through the Lukeville, Arizona port. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested Kent Edward Raley, 60, and his passenger, Robyn Michelle Mayhan, 45. When... more »

• CBP Confiscates Cocaine in Brownsville

  August 9, 2012 3:07 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - More than $500,000 worth of cocaine were confiscated in three separate incidents at the Brownsville Gateway International Bridge over the weekend. The fist seizure happened on Friday when a 39-year-old Mexican national tried to enter through the pedestrian lane. The man was sent to a secondary inspection... more »

• Search Under Way for Driver Who Bailed from Cloned Vehicle Play Video

  August 7, 2012 12:56 PM

  PENITAS - Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies are searching for a suspected drug smuggler just outside Penitas. A helicopter has joined the search. CHANNEL 5 NEWS learned a driver bailed out of a van just outside Penitas and ran south through the brush. Authorities found several bundles of drugs in... more »

• Mexican Military Finds Drugs in Tomb Play Video

  July 30, 2012 4:33 PM

  CAMARGO, Tamaulipas - Mexican soldiers this weekend found 600 pounds of marijuana at a cemetery just across the border from Rio Grande City. The drugs were stashed in a tomb along with drug-packaging material. An anonymous tip led to the discovery of the drugs. more »

• More Than $1 Million Worth of Marijuana Seized

  July 20, 2012 3:13 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY - More than 1,300 pounds of marijuana were found in a shipment of commercial limes. The seizure happened at the Rio Grande City port of entry Thursday. A tractor-trailer pulling a white utility trailer arrived with the shipment. It was referred for a secondary inspection. That's... more »

• Men Charged for Firing High-Powered Weapons Play Video

  June 22, 2012 5:10 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Two men are accused of shooting high-powered weapons at a Brownsville party. Oscar Lamas and Nicolas de Jesus Paz went before a judge today. Authorities say they got into a fight at a party. The men left, then allegedly returned with an AK-47 and .380 caliber handgun... more »

• Hidden Cameras Helped Catch Illegal Immigrants, Narcotics Play Video

  June 21, 2012 7:13 PM

  WESLACO - We're getting a first look at images captured by hidden cameras placed along Rio Grande Valley ranchland. Photos show illegal immigrants and drugs crossing Texas ranchland. One image shows a man in what appears to be a military uniform. We learned the cameras helped catch more than... more »

• Mexico Confiscates 22 Tons of Pot Destined for U.S. Play Video

  June 21, 2012 4:37 PM

  SONORA, Mexico - Mexican military confiscated 22 tons of marijuana destined for U.S. streets. The contraband was found in an 18-wheeler in the state of Sonora, just south of Arizona. Mexican authorities took the driver into custody. Mexican officials said they also found 14 pounds of crystal meth... more »

• Traffic Stop Leads to Home with Drugs Play Video

  June 19, 2012 4:21 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A traffic stop led Brownsville officers to a home with drugs. Police stopped 20-year-old Damian De Los Reyes for a traffic violation this weekend. They became suspicious when he appeared nervous. A search of his vehicle turned up several Ecstasy pills. The investigation led undercover agents to... more »

• Stash Houses Moving from Rural Areas to Neighborhoods Play Video

  June 18, 2012 6:16 PM

  WESLACO - Small cities in the mid-Valley are now the go-to places for smugglers. They're hiding illegal immigrants among unassuming neighbors. Hilda Gonzalez has called a quiet Weslaco neighborhood home for 28 years. "We know all our neighbors," she said. But three months ago, dozens of strangers ran... more »

• 3 Suspects Arrested after Drugs, Pirated DVDs Found in Home Play Video

  June 14, 2012 12:33 PM

  PHARR - Officers arrested two men and a woman, after investigators seized drugs and DVDs from a Pharr home. Police got a tip about drugs possibly in the house on 818 Cactus Trails. They got permission from the people in the home to search it yesterday evening. That's when... more »

• San Benito Man Arrested After Drugs Found on Commercial Bus

  June 14, 2012 12:00 PM

  NORTH OF HOUSTON - A San Benito man is facing multiple charges after packages of drugs were found on a commercial bus he was on. Ramiro Trevino Jr. was charged with possession of a controlled substance, money laundering and possession of a criminal instrument. The 29-year-old is now in... more »

• Raid on Home Uncovers Drugs and DVDs Play Video

  June 14, 2012 1:05 AM

  PHARR - Police raided a Pharr home on the 1800 block of Cactus Drive just after 6 p.m. Wednesday. They pulled various items out of the home as evidence, including cocaine and marijuana. Officers said they also recovered possible pirated DVDs. At least one person was arrested and... more »

• CBP Seizes More Than $1 Million Worth of Marijuana Play Video

  June 2, 2012 9:15 AM

  RIO GRANDE CITY - U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized over a million dollars worth of marijuana in Rio Grande City. The drugs were concealed within a commercial shipment of papayas on Wednesday. Officers discovered 112 packages, weighing more than 1,000 within the front wall of the trailer. ... more »

• Police: Second Home Possibly Providing Alcohol, Drugs to Teens Play Video

  May 16, 2012 6:53 PM

  SAN JUAN - San Juan police arrested a woman they say hosted an alcohol and drug party for her teenage daughter and her friends. Norma Del Angel Garcia is being held on a $300,000 bond. "Mom had a prescription for the Xanax bars. And her mom had them locked... more »

• Special Report: Gangs and Cartels Recruiting Young People in the Valley Play Video

  May 11, 2012 2:53 AM

  WESLACO - Teens in the Rio Grande Valley are being lured into the gang life with the promise of money and power. But getting involved in those organizations comes with a price. One man CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke with used to live the gang life. He has a lengthy... more »

• Dive Team Recovers Stolen Truck, Drugs Play Video

  May 10, 2012 4:29 PM

  MISSION - The Mission Fire Department dive team conducted a recovery operation along the Rio Grande. It happened this afternoon. The team was working under the watch of heavily-armed police officers and Border Patrol agents. We learned a smuggler plunged a stolen truck into the river late last night.... more »

• Mission Couple's Bond Set at $1 Million Each Play Video

  May 2, 2012 7:06 PM

  MISSION - A Mission couple accused of stashing drugs in their house are in jail tonight. A judge gave Francisco and Maria Cazares each a one million dollar bond. Police pulled nearly two tons of marijuana out of their home Tuesday night. Police also found two weapons and surveillance... more »

• Special Report: Troubled Waters Play Video

  April 30, 2012 11:59 PM

  MERCEDES - CHANNEL 5 NEWS is exposing new threats to the Rio Grande Valley's water supply. We're asking questions about the safety and security along the Rio Grande. The river is the Valley's primary source of water. Cities and water corporations count on powerful pumps to push thousands of... more »

• Gun Shop Owner: New Rules Cuts Time Helping Customers Play Video

  April 28, 2012 1:45 AM

  RIO GRANDE VALLEY - One gun store owner is upset with a new federal rule for gun dealers in four border states. The rule is designed to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to the people who buy guns for the cartels illegally. Erick Kruger says... more »

• DEA Organizing National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

  April 27, 2012 11:20 AM

  BROWNSVILLE - Saturday marks the fourth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The Drug Enforcement Administration coordinates the event, so people have the chance to dispose their unused, unwanted, and/or expired prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Last year's initiative collected 188.5 tons of unwanted or expired medication. People... more »

• Stash House Busted, Police Say It's The Second Time Play Video

  April 24, 2012 12:14 AM

  MCALLEN - Police in McAllen searched a home on Martin Avenue and discovered an undetermined amount of marijuana stashed inside. CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke with neighbors who say the same home was raided four years ago. Residents in the area say it's shocking to have this happen. "When... more »

• Authorities: Smugglers Using Air, Sea Routes Play Video

  April 19, 2012 7:46 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Federal authorities say the sea and air are becoming more common routes to smuggle drugs and people, as smugglers are finding it more difficult to get their cargo across on land. In the Rio Grande Valley sector, Border Patrol agents seized about one million pounds of drugs... more »

• Teen Arrested For Acting Violently Near Schools Play Video

  April 18, 2012 11:59 PM

  HIDALGO COUNTY - Sheriff's deputies arrested a 17-year-old boy accused of threatening neighbors with a gun. Investigators say the teen had more than one weapon and drugs in the home. They tell us he was troubled and acting violently. "He just lost his father a couple of days ago... more »

• Mission Police Investigating After Woman Found Dead Play Video

  April 18, 2012 12:01 AM

  MISSION - Police continue to follow leads as they investigate the murder of a young mother. Twenty-three-year-old Christine Kalifa was found dead near Mile 2½ and Moorfield Road early Tuesday morning. She was shot once in the back of the neck. Police say it was an execution-style killing. ... more »

• RGC Man Sentenced for Smuggling Drugs in Watermelon Shipments Play Video

  April 3, 2012 8:21 AM

  HOUSTON - A Rio Grande City man is heading to prison for smuggling marijuana in a shipment of watermelons. Roel Reyna was sentenced Monday for smuggling 3,100 pounds of the drug. A judge ordered the 46-year-old to spend almost 70 months behind bars. Three other men from Roma... more »

• McAllen Police Bust Drug Stash House Play Video

  April 2, 2012 10:53 PM

  MCALLEN - McAllen police are tallying the haul from their latest stash house raid. It happened tonight in the 2300 block of Fairmont. Police went into the house around 7 tonight and began pulling out bundle after bundle of suspected drugs. Toss after toss, the bundles came out from... more »

• Brownsville Man Facing Money Laundering, Drug Smuggling Charges Play Video

  March 28, 2012 7:30 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - A Brownsville man is facing money laundering and drug smuggling charges tonight. Juan Jaime Garcia Cruz reportedly was caught with $1,700 in cash and about 13 pounds of marijuana. Police say they recognized him while conducting a police operation in west Brownsville. He reportedly gave them... more »

• Authorities Make Bust on Familiar Smuggler Route Play Video

  March 23, 2012 7:19 PM

  MISSION - Nearly a thousand pounds of marijuana are being tagged as evidence at the Mission police department. Smugglers led them on a high-speed chase near the river. The urgency could be seen from a distance. Federal agents in the sky, on foot and behind the wheel, it was... more »

• Thousands of Pounds of Marijuana Found in a Tractor-Trailer Play Video

  March 23, 2012 1:06 PM

  PHARR - Troopers are investigating thousands of pounds of marijuana found in a tractor-trailer in Pharr. Four suspects are behind bars. According to investigators, the drug load was heading to Houston. DPS spokesman Johnny Hernandez says the drugs were found at a small loading dock. He tells us troopers... more »

• 3 Charged After Search at Harlingen Home Play Video

  March 20, 2012 3:07 PM

  HARLINGEN - Harlingen police executed a search warrant Monday and arrested three people after finding approximately 14.1 grams of cocaine, 7.9 grams of marijuana, 2.9 grams of Clonazepam and 12 grams of Alprazolam. Frank Aguilar, Marilou Loredo and Jesus Alvarez Jr. were all determined to be residents of the... more »

• Santa Muerte Spreading to Other Parts of Country Play Video

  March 16, 2012 7:09 PM

  A religious following that started in Mexico and practiced in the Valley is now found all over the country. Federal drug agents have found Santa Muerte shrines mixed in with drug loads. Ten years ago, it was difficult to find candles that pay homage to La Santa Muerte. Praying... more »

• Expert Says Women Taking Important Roles in Cartels Play Video

  March 16, 2012 7:08 PM

  Police officers in the Valley tell us they are catching more smugglers who don't fit the typical criminal profile. They are women. The cartels are finding them, training them and turning them into traffickers and killers. A cartel expert tells me his intelligence shows a 50 percent increase in... more »

• Starr County DA Says Drug Bunkers Probably in Other Valley Counties Play Video

  March 16, 2012 7:07 PM

  STARR COUNTY - Starr County prosecutors say what's going on in the Upper Valley, with drugs buried deep or hidden in an upscale community, may be happening in your neighborhoods, too. If you look at the reports, you'd think the Starr County line is a divider on how drug... more »

• CBP Officers Find 14 Packages of Cocaine at Gateway Bridge Play Video

  March 16, 2012 5:33 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville made a half million dollar-plus cocaine bust. They found 14 packages of the drug with a street value of $547,000 hidden in a truck yesterday. The discovery was made during a secondary inspection. ... more »