Police seize nearly a ton of marijuana at San Juan stash house

SAN JUAN — Police found nearly a ton of marijuana at a stash house here Monday evening, officials said.

The drugs were found at a residence at 1801 W. Texas Ave., San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez said. Officers went to the house about 6:20 p.m. because investigators had received "credible information through various agencies" about the location, the chief said.

San Juan police officers and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents knocked on the home's door and a man inside let them in. Once inside the home, officer and agents found packing tape, boxes and other items they suspect of being used for storing and transporting drugs.

"The homeowner has a previous drug history," Gonzalez said.

A narcotics detector dog sniffed out nine bundles of marijuana inside the house and 56 bundles in a van parked outside.

In total, authorities seized 1,855 pounds of drugs with an estimated street value of $371,000.

Police arrested five people found at the residence, including the home's owner, Jose Alfredo Juarez, 47, and his son, Jose Alfredo Juarez Jr., 23. Also arrested were Gabriel Cabrera, 21, Felipe Juan Garza, 30, and Alejandro Rios, 43.

Each man remained at the Hidalgo County Jail late Tuesday in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Rios has a 2008 conviction for impersonating a public servant earlier that year, according to public records.

The chief said the house appeared to be inhabited, as opposed to being used solely as a stash house.

OTHER DRUG SEIZURES

U.S. Border Patrol agents in the region found nearly 2 more tons of marijuana Monday hidden under loads of asparagus and potatoes, according to a news release from the agency.

The first seizure occurred at the Falfurrias checkpoint, where a lawful permanent resident attempted to smuggle more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana hidden among some asparagus inside a tractor-trailer, the release states.

That same day, agents at the Sarita checkpoint discovered 1,903 pounds of the drug under a load of potatoes.

Border Patrol dogs sniffed out the drugs from inside both of the big rigs.

The DEA took custody of the suspects, marijuana and tractor-trailers.

The drugs from the two seizures have an estimated street value of $3.2 million.

____

Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.