DALLAS – Two men, Joel Valencia Salazar and Gabriel Delgado, Jr., are facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in a massive marijuana trafficking operation. According to court documents, the duo was caught with over 122 kilograms of marijuana hidden in a shipment of scales and metal plates at the Averitt Express freight company warehouse in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Salazar, the owner of Primo Produce in Dallas, and Delgado, Jr. allegedly coordinated the pickup and delivery of the marijuana-laden shipment. The men were released on a personal recognizance bond after their initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renée Harris Toliver.
According to the complaint, the shipment arrived at the Averitt Express warehouse on January 11, 2013, and was inspected under a state search warrant. The marijuana was hidden in large plastic storage bins inside cardboard boxes, with the bill of lading listing the contents as 10 containers of scales and metal plates.
Delgado, Jr. claimed he was paid $500 to coordinate the pickup and delivery of the shipment, while Salazar stated he allowed Delgado, Jr. to use his warehouse in exchange for $500. The men were detained by law enforcement officers after being approached while in a Chevrolet Tahoe parked outside the Averitt Express warehouse.
The investigation into the marijuana trafficking ring is being led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taly Haffar is in charge of the prosecution, which carries a penalty of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
The case is set to be presented to a grand jury within the next 30 days. Salazar and Delgado, Jr. are currently presumed innocent until proven guilty.
As the investigation continues, officials are urging anyone with information to come forward. The public is reminded that possession with intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana is a serious crime, carrying significant penalties and consequences.
RELATED: NOLA Duo Caught with Machine Gun, Facing Decades in Federal Prison
RELATED: Akron Gun & Drug Sweep: 30+ Face Federal Charges
Related Federal Cases
- Major Marijuana Ring Dismantled in Dallas · Texas
- Bondi’s Money Laundering Ring Busted in Texas · Texas
- East Texas Meth Ring Busted: 18 Face Life Behind Bars · Texas
- Gang Leader Bonilla and Five Accomplices Busted in East Texas Illegal Gambling Ring · Texas
- Pakistani Ring Busted: Five Face Federal Drug Charges · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News