Valent Brothers Nabbed in K2 Operation

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Two Corpus Christi brothers are headed to federal prison after pleading guilty to trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, the dangerous and often unpredictable street drugs known as “K2” or “Spice.” Roy Valent Jr., 31, and Arnold Ray Valent, 29, received sentences totaling over seventeen years for their involvement in the illicit trade, a case highlighted by the increasing dangers of these designer narcotics.

The case unfolded on December 16, 2015, when officers attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle leaving a residence. Arnold Ray Valent bolted from the car, leading officers on a brief foot chase before being apprehended. A search of the vehicle revealed a backpack stuffed with 35 packages of synthetic cannabinoids. Back at the residence, officers found Roy Valent Jr. in a garage apartment, illegally possessing a firearm. A subsequent search uncovered an additional 19 packages of the synthetic drugs.

Laboratory analysis confirmed the seized substances contained a cocktail of scheduled chemicals, including AB-CHMINACA, XLR-11, 5F-AMB, 5F-MDMB-PINACA, NM-2201, FUB-AMB, AB-CHMICA, and PX-1 – all controlled under the Controlled Substance Analog Act. The DEA testified at sentencing regarding the rapidly evolving landscape of synthetic narcotics, detailing the severe adverse effects and the clear and present danger these substances pose to public health.

During sentencing on March 15, 2017, Arnold Ray Valent, identified as a career offender, received a crushing 110-month prison term. His brother, Roy Valent Jr., was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison. Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack specifically noted the particular vulnerability of children to the allure of these dangerous drugs when handing down the sentences. Both men will face an additional three years of supervised release upon completion of their sentences.

The arrests were part of “Operation City Shield,” a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Corpus Christi Police Department. The operation targeted violent offenders and aimed to curb gun violence and protect the community from the scourge of illegal drugs.

Both Valent brothers remain in custody awaiting transfer to a designated U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt prosecuted the case, sending a clear message that the federal government will continue to aggressively pursue those who profit from the distribution of these deadly synthetic substances. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing battle against synthetic drug trafficking in Texas and beyond.