Pharr trio handed drug charges after raid fails to yield explosives

PHARR — Three men are behind bars after authorities raided their home Wednesday in a failed search for explosives linked to a grenade attack last month at a nearby bar.

Aldo Avendano, 27, Adrian Loredo, 20, and David Sanchez, 28, were all given felony drug charges Thursday afternoon in Pharr Municipal Court.

Several area law enforcement agencies raided the trio's Pharr residence at 1023 E. Bell St. on Wednesday, looking for explosives connected to a failed grenade attack Jan. 31 at El Booty Lounge on the 3700 block of North "I" Road.

The attack stemmed from a dispute between rival gangs the Tri-City Bombers and the Texas Chicano Brotherhood, authorities said.

Police could not confirm Thursday whether the three men arrested Wednesday were members of either gang, said Lt. Guadalupe Salinas, a Pharr police spokesman.

The grenade tossed into the Booty Lounge did not detonate.

Authorities did not find any explosives at the residence Wednesday. But they did seize about 24 pounds of marijuana, 3.8 grams of cocaine, and drug paraphernalia, as well as two shotguns and ammunition.

Pharr Municipal Judge Rudy Martinez arraigned the trio on felony marijuana possession charges that carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction.

Avendano was also charged with felony cocaine possession and possession of a prohibited weapon. His bond was set at $130,000.

Loredo also faces a felony cocaine possession charge. His bond was set at $100,000.

Sanchez's bond was set at $50,000 for the felony marijuana possession charge.

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Jared Taylor covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.