Texas recently dismantled a Dallas-based marijuana trafficking ring that resulted in one of the largest cash seizures in Texas. Police sized more than $1.7 million from the drug trafficking ring where individuals involved allegedly posed as cowboys to transport horses between Texas and Arizona.
The police busted the drug ring after receiving a tip in October 2010. Police claim that the drug ring was led by a man who rented out a ranch in Dallas County to conduct the illegal operation. The ring allegedly used three horses that were loaded into a trailer that contained a hidden compartment in the air conditioning unit to store the cash made from the drug ring.
Police said that the drug ring would travel to Arizona to make drug deals, which included exchanging cash for marijuana in Mexico. They also allegedly had over 1,100 pounds of marijuana hidden in the trailer compartment with the intent to distribute it after arriving back on their ranch in Dallas.
Investigators reported that the drug ring distributed more than 60,000 pounds of marijuana in Texas between 2009 and 2010. After investigators learned of this information, they obtained search warrants and found $685,825 in the group's horse trailer. Police also found more cash in a storage unit as well as guns, plastic money bags, drug ledgers and money counters.
Eight defendants involved in the drug ring pleaded guilty to drug charges. They are also serving federal prison sentences that range from 18 months to 240 months.
Texas law enforcement and federal law enforcement agencies have continued to crackdown on drug trafficking rings and organizations. People associated with these drug rings can face serious charges and penalties if they are convicted.
Individuals facing drug trafficking charges or those associated with a drug ring should consult a drug violations attorney as soon as possible to protect their rights as well as figure out what options are available if they are accused of any involvement.
Source: Dallas News, "$1.7 million in cash seized in dismantling of Dallas-area drug ring," Valeria Wigglesworth, Feb. 7, 2013
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