Multi-agency drug enforcement operation nabs Gonzales man on trafficking charges

An investigation which spanned more than a year culminated in the arrest of a Gonzales man for numerous drug trafficking charges by a combined task force led by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Sergeant TFO of Group D-53, alongside the San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division Sergeant.

Luis Vazquez was arrested at a residence on Jobe Street in Gonzales when officers raided it at about 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, and was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with multiple counts of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance as well as possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

“This stems from an ongoing investigation that our DEA TFO had with the narcotics investigator for San Patricio County,” Wilson County Chief Deputy Clint Garza said. “Our investigation led to this individual when we tracked the source of where narcotics were coming into our area. We learned that this individual was one of the sources of the cocaine supply to the area.”

The two counties collaborated with dozens of other officers as well as the Gonzales County Attorney’s Office to pull off the Friday evening raid, which focused on suppressing crime and dismantling drug distribution networks across multiple counties, Garza said.

Authorities seized approximately $10,000 in suspected drug proceeds, along with 141 grams of methamphetamine, 224 grams of cocaine, 8 pounds of marijuana, 22 pounds of THC products, and 5.3 grams of suspected Adderall.

While Vazquez was the only person arrested Friday, multiple additional offenders have been identfied and are under investigation, Garza noted. The initial investigation which resulted in Vazquez’s arrest was more than 12 months by the dedicated officers of the task force.

“Operations like this make the Crossroads area safer by removing dangerous drugs from our streets and holding offenders accountable,” Wilson County Sheriff Jim Stewart said. “Our officers and DEA partners will continue to relentlessly pursue justice. More operations like this are planned for the future.”

San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera added, “We are proud to have been invited to participate — it speaks volumes about our team and capabilities,” San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera added. “This operation sets the standard for our commitment to drug enforcement within our narcotics division. Together, these agencies remain committed to keeping our communities safe and drug-free.”

“This speaks volumes about the capabilities of our officers to go out into the area and set a standard of commitment to drug program teamwork,” Garza added. “The basic message from both Sheriff Stewart and Sheriff Rivera is that this doesn’t have to originate in our counties. If you come bringing drugs into our counties, we will execute warrants that will affect the citizens in our county regardless of where in the state that may be. We are willing to work with other counties that may not have the resources or manpower to do this.”