LaredoBuzz.Com

Sheriff Martin Cuellar stands next to the drugs, weapons and cash confiscated within the last several days.

Courtesy Eddie Zavala,

 Laredo, TX (Webb County) – In three separate incidents, Webb County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested three local men recently on street-level drug charges and unlawful carrying of a weapon charges.

In the first incident, Sheriff Deputies arrested Javier Francisco Cerda, 34. This arrest stems as a result of information received that the suspect was selling street-level narcotics at his house on the 900 block of Witherspoon. Surveillance was conducted and deputies followed Cerda in his vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on the suspect.

During the traffic stop, which happened near a popular park in South Laredo, deputies discovered 16 grams of cocaine and a handgun, with an additional 31 grams of cocaine found inside his house and within reach of Cerda’s two children, ages 7 and 1. He was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and endangering of a child, 2 counts. He was remanded to the Webb County Jail with a total bond of $63,000.

In the second incident, Angel Rocha-Lopez, 37, was arrested at an establishment on the 9100 block of McPherson Road in north Laredo. In this arrest, deputies received information that an employee of the establishment was selling drugs inside the locale. Following surveillance, Sheriff’s Office investigators identified Rocha-Lopez and approached him as he was entering his vehicle. Investigators discovered a handgun and seven grams of cocaine.

Rocha-Lopez was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon, and remanded to the Webb County Jail.

In the third incident, deputies arrested Jose Luis Garcia, 25, following a traffic stop at the intersection of Clark Boulevard and New Port Avenue, near a recreation center and a neighborhood park in east central Laredo. Immediately, the deputy noticed Garcia was driving with a suspended driver’s license and advised him the vehicle was going to be impounded. As the deputy began to conduct inventory of the vehicle, he noticed clear plastic baggies containing a white powdery substance and $9,724 in US currency in the pocket of the driver’s side door.

Also found were 83 packages of marijuana ready to be distributed. The cocaine weighed 13 grams, while the marijuana was one pound. Garcia was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was remanded to the Webb County Jail.

“These are the people who are poisoning our young children and they prey on the most vulnerable. This is why I reiterate that parents should always know the whereabouts of their children,” said Sheriff Martin Cuellar. “We need to keep an eye on our neighborhoods and report any suspicious activities by calling 956-418-BUST (2878). As your Sheriff, I stand committed to protecting you and your families, and will do everything in my reach to keep our neighborhoods safe.”