TWO PEOPLE ARRESTED IN AUSTIN COUNTY

  

Two people were arrested Monday in Austin County on Possession of a Controlled Substance charges.

The Austin County Sheriff’s Office reports that Monday, members of the Westside Narcotics Task Force were conducting an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating within Austin County.   At approximately 2:00PM, officers with the Sealy Police Department working with taskforce officers made a traffic stop on the Interstate 10 frontage road.  The traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Ricardo Alfredo Galindo, 24 from Houston. During the course of the traffic stop, Galindo was found to be in possession of 4 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. Task Force Officers continued their investigation which led them to a residence located in the 2400 block of Cunningham road, in Wallis Texas.

A second subject identified as Modesto Pineda-Camacho, 48 from Mexico was located and arrested. When Task Force Officers conducted a search of the residence, they located a clandestine methamphetamine conversion laboratory.  This type of lab is utilized by drug trafficking organizations to convert liquid methamphetamine to crystal methamphetamine.   Due to the hazardous chemicals associated with conversation labs, the DEA clandestine Lab Unit was contacted and asked to respond.   A total of approximately 10 gallons of liquid methamphetamine and (2) kilograms of crystal methamphetamine was seized at the residence. Both suspects were charged with possession of a controlled substance (over 400 grams) and booked into the Austin County Jail.   The investigation is currently ongoing.

The Westside Narcotics Taskforce (HIDTA) covers Austin, Waller, Colorado, and Fayette Counties.   Currently investigators from the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, Bellville Police Department, Sealy Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Waller County Sheriff’s Office, Hempstead Police Department and United States Drug Enforcement Administration participate as Taskforce members.