DEA jails 6 in Operation Come and Take It

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Editor's Note: This story is an updated version of the "6 arrested in DEA roundup in Gonzales" news that broke Tuesday night.

GONZALES — Federal and state officers rounded up six defendants named in an indictment by a federal grand jury that was unsealed Wednesday. The arrests were made in connection with a lengthy undercover investigation into a drug distribution network operating in Gonzales, according to an announcement by Joseph A. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Houston Division, and Gonzales Police Chief Tim Crow.

David Anthony Navejar, 27, of Gonzales is charged with leading an alleged drug network with possible ties to a drug cartel in Matamoros, Mexico. Other suspects arrested in Wednesday’s operation were: Derek Jesse Navarro, 26; Kelvin Lionel “Goober” Wright, 23; Samantha M. Gonzales, 28; Luis Vazquez, 24, and Christopher Camarillo, 37, all of Gonzales.

David Airhart, 22, and Lillian San Miguel, 36, both of Gonzales were arrested in May and each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than one kilogram of black tar heroin, more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Navejar and Camarillo are each charged with possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime in the 10-count indictment.

Navejar is charged with possessing a 9mm pistol on Dec. 17, 2013, according to the indictment. Camarillo is charged with possessing a .380 caliber pistol, a .45 caliber pistol and a .22 caliber rifle during drug trafficking crimes on June 3, 2014, the indictment said.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John Primomo ordered Navarro and Vazquez to be held without bond until a bail hearing on Monday.

San Miguel had been arrested during a raid in April when authorities seized drugs from a closet in her apartment, according to a report published in the San Antonio Express-News online edition Wednesday. Airhart was jailed in May after a traffic stop in Atascosa County when officers found cocaine hidden inside his car.

Prosecutors also are seeking a monetary judgment against the defendants for $500,000, which represents the proceeds of the trafficking operation. DEA Agent Nancy Sanford said during a press conference Friday that officers seized $80,000 in cash, 26 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 28 pounds of cocaine, two pounds of heroin and $80,000 in U.S. currency in connection with this investigation.

This operation has been underway since 2013, Crow said.

Gonzales Police Department did pursue state charges against some defendants while the lengthy operation was underway, according to Crow.

When asked about additional wrap-up operations that local agencies often follow at the close of DEA investigations, Crow said his department is pursuing additional cases.

“We will continue to develop information and go after all narcotics dealers in our area to disrupt and dismantle their criminal activities,” Crow said.  “We are looking at strategies to hold property owners accountable for their role in renting property to known narcotics dealers and nuisances in our neighborhoods.”

Provisions in state law hold property owners accountable for frequent or ongoing criminal activity on their property whether the owner is present when the activity takes place or not.

Gonzales County Attorney Paul Watkins concurred that such charges could be filed if they meet “limited circumstances.”

Upon conviction of the federal conspiracy charge, the defendants face between 10 years and life in federal prison. Navejar and Camarillo each face a consecutive minimum prison sentence of five years upon conviction of the firearm charge.

Wednesday’s charges and arrests resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gonzales Police Department with assistance from the following agencies:  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; United States Marshals Service; Sheriff’s Departments from Comal, Guadalupe, Gonzales and Kendall counties; Police Departments from Balcones Heights, Boerne, New Braunfels and San Antonio; Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General’s Office; and, the Texas National Guard.  Assistant United States Attorney Sam Ponder is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.  

“Hopefully, for a pretty good while, Gonzales will enjoy their streets again without fear of these drug traffickers, said Joey Contreras of the U.S. Attorney’s Office during a press conference Wednesday.

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