37 Members of Texas Mexican Mafia Charged in San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas – In a major crackdown, 26 members of the Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) were arrested, and four others are being sought in connection with a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation.

U.S. Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. announced the charges, which include conspiracy to interfere with Commerce by threats or violence, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and use, carrying, or discharging a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

The indictment alleges that the defendants are responsible for distributing heroin and methamphetamine since January 2015 and collecting a ‘dime’ – a 10% tax imposed by the TMM on non-members who distribute narcotics. Failure to pay the tax could result in serious bodily injury, robbery, or death.

The defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction of the extortion conspiracy charge, between five and 40 years in federal prison upon conviction of the drug conspiracy charge or drug possession charge, and a mandatory 10 years in federal prison consecutive to any other prison time assessed upon conviction of the firearms charge.

Among those already in custody prior to today’s arrests are Raul Ramos, age 51, aka Alto, aka Naranjo, aka GQ, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2; Victor Garcia, age 48, aka Café, aka Pelon, aka BF, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2; Angel Cantu Garcia, age 53, aka Mad, aka Che, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2; Robert M. Cantu, age 52, aka Rock, aka Aguila, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2; Mariano Valdez III, age 48, aka Huesos, aka Rage, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2; Fernando Gonzales, age 37, aka Nando, aka Sunny, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2; Richard Gamez, age 40, aka Richio, aka Mack, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2; Arthur Gallegos, age 41, of San Antonio, Count 1; Daniel Garza, age 46, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2; Ricky Escobedo, age 41, of San Antonio, Counts 1,2.

These individuals were part of the 37 defendants named in the indictment. Eight defendants were already in custody, and three remain fugitives. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, the San Antonio Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, New Braunfels Police Department, Medina County Sheriff’s Office, Hondo Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office for the 38th Judicial District.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This indictment is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, which aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering operations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

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