FRANCE-POLICE-DRUG-COCAINE-SEIZURE
A picture taken on November 23, 2015, at the headquarters of the French Judicial Police shows a part of the 18kg of cocaine, 20 kg of cannabis, 300.000 euros and weapons seized by French police. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

A drug bust this month not only led to the arrest of two individuals responsible for selling drugs but also the recovery of more than $1.6 million in cash, drugs, and 14 firearms in a Dallas residence, federal officials stated.

According to NBC DFW, the acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Prerak Shah stated that the two individuals were identified as Hector Manuel Castro-Quirino and his girlfriend, Vanessa Ann Cervantes. The two individuals were charged with drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute.

Federal officials stated that the investigation started in June after the law enforcement received a tip from a reliable source about the drug operation. The sealed complaint stated that drug dealers were operating out of a home on South Acres Drive.

After receiving the tip, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, alongside with Dallas Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety, conducted undercover drug buys later in June. Law enforcement confirmed that they bought drugs from the individuals living in the Dallas home.

Furthermore, after gathering pieces of evidence, federal agents, alongside the Dallas police and local authorities, conducted a raid on the residence in July and apprehended the suspects, 47-year-old Hector Manuel Castro-Quirino and 38-year-old Vanessa Ann Cervantes. When the agents and local law enforcement searched the Dallas residence, they found 14 firearms. Some of which were loaded. Authorities also recovered a kilogram of cocaine, half a kilogram of methamphetamine.

Also, federal officials were shocked when they recovered $1.6 million in currency. Some of which were stuffed in socks, shoe boxes, and even in a trash bag.

Partners in Crime

ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II stated in a written statement that the suspects, Castro and Cervantes, were allegedly involved in more crimes than they could imagine. The special agent added that the ATF and their partners remain committed to the plan of Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia in reducing violent crime in Dallas.

On the other hand, during the arrest, Castro-Quirino allegedly admitted to trafficking drugs. The alleged drug distributor in Dallas stated that he received around a kilogram each of cocaine and methamphetamine every month.

Meanwhile, officials said the girlfriend of Castro-Quirino, Cervantes, also allegedly admitted that she was the one maintaining the drug ledgers.

On Friday, Castro-Quirino and Cervantes made their initial appearances in federal court. Both of them face up charges of up to 20 years in prison.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by Jess Smith

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