San Antonio Meth & Coke Ring Busted: Cerda, Flores Face Decades

SAN ANTONIO, TX – A major drug trafficking network operating in and around San Antonio has been crippled following the coordinated arrest of 21 individuals, authorities announced today. The operation, dubbed “Operation Tango and Cash,” targeted a ring allegedly responsible for smuggling and distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine throughout Texas.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement descended on the city this morning, taking 15 suspects into custody without incident. Among those arrested were identified as ringleaders Francisco Cerda, 43, of San Antonio, and John Paul Flores, 29, also of San Antonio. Six additional defendants had been previously arrested, bringing the total number of individuals facing federal charges to 21. The investigation was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.

A federal grand jury indictment, unsealed today, charges all 21 defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. With the exception of Laura Romero-Zelaya, 38, of Houston, TX; Jose Luis Alvarez-Torres, 29, of San Antonio; Victor Lamont Robinson, 29, of San Antonio; Pedro Sosa, 40, of San Antonio; Pablo Rios, 43, of San Antonio, and Joel Olivas, 44, of Arlington, TX, the indictment further alleges conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Francisco Cerda faces an additional eight substantive drug distribution charges, indicating a central role in the operation.

The massive investigation yielded a substantial haul of illicit substances and cash. Authorities seized approximately 22 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, and over $91,000 in U.S. currency directly linked to the trafficking organization. The multi-agency task force involved the DEA, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Marshals Service, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, San Antonio Police Department, Live Oak Police Department, Seguin Police Department, New Braunfels Police Department, and the Texas National Guard Counter Drug unit.

Those currently in custody include Frank Montejano, 32, San Antonio; Andrew Flores, 33, San Antonio; Jorge Navarro, 32, San Antonio; Edward Saucedo, 33, San Antonio; Jesse Flores, 30, San Antonio; Isaac Hernandez, 33, San Antonio; Joseph Acevedo, 22, San Antonio; Maribel Rios, 37, San Antonio; Quintin Vega, 29, San Antonio; Alan Ramirez, 26, San Antonio; Frank Zepeda, 22, San Antonio; and Manuel Roel Castillo, 40, San Antonio. Romero-Zelaya and Robinson are currently on bond, while Alvarez-Torres remains in custody. Arrest dates for the majority of the defendants are listed as January 12, 2017. San Juanita Rodriguez, 34, San Antonio, is also on bond.

“The success of Operation Tango and Cash… serves as an example of the exceptional teamwork among law enforcement agencies,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit. “This operation dismantled the activities of a dangerous criminal organization that was responsible for smuggling and distributing large quantities of narcotics throughout the State of Texas.” If convicted of either conspiracy charge, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison. It is important to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Case number: U.S. v. Romero-Zelaya, et al. SA16cr799.

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