Tagged News

• 10 current and former Mexican officials accused in US indictment of aiding drug trafficking

  April 30, 2026 11:20 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) — The governor of Sinaloa and nine other current and former Mexican officials were charged with drug trafficking and weapons offenses in a U.S. indictment unsealed Wednesday in New York, accused of aiding in the massive importation of illicit narcotics into the United States. Some officials... more »

• The informant earned millions working for the DEA. He paid no taxes.

  April 16, 2026 4:08 PM

  MIAMI (AP) — A longtime informant who traveled the world partying with rogue U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents avoided a prison sentence this week after admitting he failed to pay taxes on nearly $4 million he received for years of undercover work. Andres Zapata was sentenced Wednesday in Austin,... more »

• Trump’s pardon of Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar leaves local Republicans surprised and disappointed

  December 15, 2025 4:43 PM

  Zapata County Republican Chairwoman Jennifer Thatcher was shocked when she learned earlier this month that President Donald Trump had pardoned Rep. Henry Cuellar, freeing him from legal peril for the federal corruption charges he faced. By pardoning Cuellar, she said, Trump removed the Laredo Democrats’ main vulnerability, which Republicans... more »

• After Trump pardon, Rep. Henry Cuellar restored to homeland security funding post

  December 11, 2025 2:24 PM

  Days after he was pardoned by President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar won back his position as the top Democratic member on a powerful House panel that oversees funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The Laredo Democrat forfeited his role as chair of the Appropriations subcommittee on... more »

• Henry Cuellar faces scant opposition in South Texas Democratic primary

  December 3, 2025 3:46 PM

  Editor’s note : This story has been updated to reflect President Donald Trump’s pardon of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, which was announced shortly after this article was published. In 2022, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar narrowly defeated a progressive challenger after the FBI raided his home and office weeks before... more »

• Son of drug kingpin 'El Chapo' pleads guilty in US drug trafficking case in a plea deal

  December 1, 2025 6:16 PM

  CHICAGO (AP) — One of the sons of notorious Mexican drug kingpin "El Chapo" pleaded guilty on Monday to U.S. drug trafficking charges, months after his brother entered a plea deal. Known locally in Mexico as the "Chapitos," or "little Chapos," Joaquin Guzman Lopez and brother Ovidio Guzman Lopez... more »

• New data shows 1 in 4 ICE arrests happened in Texas under Trump’s immigration crackdown

  November 3, 2025 2:15 PM

  On the evening of July 1, Luis Medrano called Houston police for help after his wife had gotten violent and punched him twice in the face during a schizophrenic episode in which she was hearing tormenting voices, according to a police report. Medrano, 50, a Mexican immigrant who met... more »

• McAllen commissioner enters not guilty plea on federal charges Play Video

  November 3, 2025 12:56 PM

  McAllen Place 4 City Commissioner Rodolfo "Rudy" Castillo has entered a not guilty plea on charges of federal smuggling and money laundering, according to court records. Castillo entered his plea on Monday. He, along with his wife, Bertha, were indicted on October 28. They were also indicted on a... more »

• McAllen city commissioner indicted on federal smuggling and money laundering charges Play Video

  October 29, 2025 4:30 PM

  McAllen Place 4 City Commissioner Rodolfo “Rudy” Castillo was indicted Tuesday alongside his wife on federal smuggling and money laundering charges, court records show. Castillo and his wife — Bertha Alicia Castillo — were also indicted on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Bertha faces... more »

• McAllen commissioner says he won't resign following arrest on federal charges Play Video

  October 28, 2025 3:16 PM

  Among the commissioners at Monday’s McAllen city meeting was Rodolfo “Rudy” Castillo. Monday marked the first time Castillo, 55, attended a city commission meeting since his Oct. 2 arrest on federal charges of smuggling goods and money laundering. As previously reported, Castillo was released on a $100,000 bond... more »

• McAllen city commissioner out on bond following arrest on federal smuggling and money laundering charges Play Video

  October 21, 2025 1:30 PM

  McAllen Place 4 City Commissioner Rodolfo “Rudy” Castillo was released from federal custody Tuesday after posting bond. Castillo, 55, was arrested alongside his wife — Bertha Alicia Castillo —on Oct. 2 on federal charges of smuggling goods and money laundering, according to previous reports. Castillo and Bertha were... more »

• McAllen city commissioner, wife issued bond in connection with smuggling operation Play Video

  October 3, 2025 1:06 PM

  McAllen's City Commissioner for Place 4, Rodolfo Castillo, is accused of using his used clothing business as a front for a smuggling operation. A federal criminal complaint, obtained by CHANNEL 5 NEWS, details an investigation into Rodolfo and Bertha Castillo that included confidential informants and undercover agents. Rodolfo... more »

• Texas bill protecting sex trafficking victims from some criminal charges advances

  August 21, 2025 3:21 PM

  " Texas bill protecting sex trafficking victims from some criminal charges advances " was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The Brief... more »

• 2 Cuban men arrested in connection with multimillion dollar auto theft ring Play Video

  June 26, 2025 3:54 PM

  Two Cuban nationals were taken into custody on charges related to the exportation of stolen motor vehicles, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The news release said 42-year-old Sadiel Noa-Aguila and 36-year-old Miguel Baez-Echevarria illegally resided in Pharr and Las Vegas,... more »

• Feds: Arroyo Terminals crude oil scheme conspired to provide material support to cartel Play Video

  May 30, 2025 6:00 PM

  The father and son who were arrested in connection with a scheme to smuggle crude oil into the United States illegally have now been charged with allegedly conspiring to "materially support a Mexican cartel previously designated as a foreign terrorist organization," according to a news release. According to a... more »

• Charges dismissed against two individuals in Arroyo Terminals investigation

  May 29, 2025 1:58 PM

  Motions to dismiss charges against two individuals in the Arroyo Terminals investigation in Rio Hondo were granted on Tuesday. As previously reported, four individuals were arrested in connection with a federal investigation into a scheme to smuggle crude oil into the United States illegally. RELATED STORY: Arroyo Terminals... more »

• 'It's a slap on the hand:' Reactions to sentencing of doctor who misdiagnosed thousands of patients Play Video

  May 21, 2025 9:11 PM

  A 68-year-old Mission doctor was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison after intentionally misdiagnosing 10,000 patients for profit. However, he may not spend more than three years in jail due to credit he’s receiving for time served. As previously reported, Jorge Zamora-Quezada was found guilty in 2020... more »

• Mission doctor sentenced after misdiagnosing thousands of patients in multi-million dollar fraud scheme Play Video

  May 21, 2025 1:47 PM

  A 68-year-old Mission doctor was sentenced Wednesday to federal prison in connection to a $240 million health care fraud and international money laundering scheme. Jorge Zamora Quezada was sentenced to 10 years, minus seven for time served. He has also been ordered to pay $28 million in restitution to... more »

• Former Texas Mayor Found Guilty in Money Laundering and Health Care Fraud Scheme

  November 6, 2019 10:02 PM

  McALLEN – On Wednesday, a federal jury found three men associated with a Texas health care company guilty for their roles in a $150 million health care fraud scheme, one of which was a mayor in Texas at the time. After a three-week trial, the jury found 47-year-old Rodney... more »

• 4 Accused in Weslaco Bribery Case to Go to Trial Play Video

  October 11, 2019 5:16 PM

  WESLACO – The deadline for four men accused in a Weslaco bribery scheme to make the decision to take a plea deal was Friday. Attorneys for Arturo Cuellar, Daniel Garcia and Richard Quintanilla say their clients are innocent and will go to trial. John Cuellar took a plea... more »

• Wife of Valley Doctor Accused of Health Care Fraud to be Released on Bond Play Video

  July 30, 2019 12:07 PM

  UPDATE (7/31): A judge submitted an order for Meisy Zamora to be released on bond. The release order was filed Wednesday. On Friday, she will be back in court for a bond hearing. Her husband remains in custody until his trial in September. He's accused of... more »

• 6 Arrested following Federal Raid in Edinburg, 1 Suspect on the Run Play Video

  May 2, 2019 9:06 AM

  EDINBURG – The IRS and DEA agents along with local police made arrests in a raid in Edinburg. It happened Tuesday along Expressway 281, north of Ramseyer Road. Six men were arrested and charged with conspiracies to commit money laundering, drug trafficking and 39 drug and money laundering... more »

• Trial Rescheduled for Former Tamaulipas Governor

  April 26, 2019 6:36 PM

  WESLACO – Another delay was granted for the trial involving former Tamaulipas Governor Tomas Yarrington. A federal judge made the decision this week. Yarrington is facing charges that include racketeering, bank fraud and money laundering. The trial was originally scheduled to start in September and is now... more »

• Car Lot Business Owner Denies Allegations – Again

  April 26, 2019 4:08 PM

  SAN BENITO – The San Benito car lot raided by federal agencies Thursday remains open. The investigation continues after a series of raids surrounding money laundering took place at a Brownsville residence, as well as two businesses. The suspect in custody is a Palestinian man, George Rafidi, who... more »

• Cameron Co. Investigation Leads to Money Laundering by Terrorist Group Play Video

  April 25, 2019 4:55 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – An investigation is underway into possible terrorist activity in Cameron County. Authorities have one man in custody. Court records reveal he pled guilty to being involved with a Palestinian terrorist organization. The plea resulted in a series of raids early Thursday. Three search and... more »