Eight people accused of trafficking methamphetamine were arrested in Tulia, Texas, on May 10, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham announced.
In an eight-count indictment unsealed on May 12, Manuel Socorro Urenda, Gilbert Lee Basaldua, Rojelio “Roy” Reyes, Gabriel Trevino, Lydia Delgado Hawthorne, Raul Mancha Montoya, Jamie Catina Haddock, and Jim Bob Been were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, two additional people already in custody — Cayetano Vela Medrano and Santiago James Carrasco — were also charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The arrest is an effort of agents and officers involved in Operation Tulia Takedown. Agents seized 1.4 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.6 pounds of marijuana, and ninety-three Xanax pills. Five firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were also seized in the May 10 bust.
All the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted of the charges brought against them, Basaldua, Reyes, Trevino, Hawthorne, Montoya, Been, Medrano, and James face up to 20 years in federal prison. Due to their level of involvement, Urenda and Haddock face up to life in prison if convicted.
The investigation utilized multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Tulia Police Department, the Amarillo Police Department, the Randall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno said that the agency is “targeting” any criminal enterprise perpetuating violence in neighborhoods. “Through our extensive partnerships and task forces, we’re sending a direct message to offenders that committing continual criminal incidents will not be tolerated and that we will deploy our collective strength to ensure the safety and security of our communities.”