5 in Austin charged in drug trafficking

Federal authorities have accused 16 people of engaging in a drug trafficking and distribution operation from Austin to San Antonio dating back to 2016.

Federal, state and local law enforcement officials rounded up seven members and associates of the Bloods gang in both cities Thursday morning. Several others had already been arrested or indicted.

Authorities allege that suppliers in Austin were funneling drugs to counterparts in San Antonio, where they were then pushed out into the streets on the city's East Side.

Officials said the scheme had been going on since approximately 2016, but declined to describe how the drugs were moved between each city or the specific roles each suspect played.

“Today’s operation marks a major strike in the battle against gangs in San Antonio. Ensuring that our streets are safe for every child, no matter where he or she lives, is the most important social justice issue of our time,” John Bash, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, said in a statement.

Bash said some of the methamphetamine the group distributed was disguised as ecstasy pills.

“I haven’t seen that before,” he said. “That was kind of an unusual feature of this case.”

Justin Wooley, 28; Derek Williams, 42; and Darrial Carter, 33; were all arrested Thursday in Austin in connection with the investigation, federal officials said. Johnny Hughes, 40; and Salvador Barrios Mesas, 38; were already in custody. Both are also from Austin.

In San Antonio, officers on Thursday arrested the purported leader of the group, 31-year-old Deuandre Jermore Williams, as well as Andre Jarrell Williams, 32; Lee Braddy, 38; and Henry Cochran, 31. Another suspect, 28-year-old Freddie Lee Scott, had been taken into custody beforehand. An additional suspect remains at large, officials said.

In addition to Thursday's arrests, a Bexar County grand jury indicted Deuandre Williams, Cochran, and five other people identified as Bloods gang members on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity, being felons in possession of firearms, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and evading in a vehicle.

“For too long, residents of San Antonio’s East Side have lived in fear of gang members like those arrested this morning that have sold drugs and committed violent crimes with no regard for the safety of the innocent,” Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said. “We stand with our partners in this collaborative effort to continue to protect all the citizens of Bexar County.”

During the arrests, authorities seized nine firearms, about 20 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine pills, along with cocaine, marijuana and a large amount of cash.

The defendants face anywhere from 20 to 40 years in prison if convicted, depending on the specific amounts of narcotics associated with their charges.