Pubdate: Tue, 19 Dec 2000
Source: Corpus Christi Caller-Times (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Address: P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, TX 78469-9136
Feedback: http://www.caller.com/commcentral/email_ed.htm
Website: http://www.caller.com/
Author: Jeremy Schwartz, Caller-Times

ALICE POLICE CRACK DOWN ON DRUGS

Officials Say 17 Arrests Have Been Made So Far And More Could Come Soon

Alice police are hoping to shut down the city's drug trade - for at least a 
little while - through a crackdown of suspected drug dealers that has 
resulted in 17 arrests since Friday.

Police have warrants for an additional 15 suspected dealers, and officials 
are betting that the sweep will convince dealers not yet arrested to cool 
down their businesses.

"They don't know who's next," said Lt. Reyes Espinoza. "They don't know 
who's doing what."

The crackdown was the result of a six-month undercover investigation in 
which officers made buys and gathered evidence.

Among those arrested was Grace Villanueva, an Alice mother who made 
headlines earlier this year because of a court battle over the custody of 
her children. Child Protective Services took custody of Villanueva's older 
daughter in March 1999 after nurses said they found injuries to the child 
consistent with sexual abuse. Villanueva was never implicated, and no one 
has been charged.

But the child was taken because the alleged abuse occurred while the baby 
was in her care and the younger child was taken because authorities thought 
the child could be in danger.

Villanueva, who relinquished her parental rights to the children in 
September, had tested positive for methadone, which she said she obtained 
from a relative who had a prescription.

According to police, Villanueva was in the Jim Wells County Jail on a 
$15,000 bond after being arrested Friday on a charge of engaging in 
organized criminal activity.

Espinoza said Villanueva was present during a heroin transaction.

Others charged in the sweep as of Monday include:

Jose Martin Garcia, 36, charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine 
and engaging in organized crime.

Dina Garcia, 36, charged with possession of cocaine and engaging in 
organized crime.

Jose Paiz, 21, charged with possession of cocaine and engaging in organized 
crime.

Elizabeth Salinas, 24, charged with delivery of cocaine and engaging in 
organized crime.

Jorge Homero Tamez, 24, charged with engaging in organized crime.

David Escamilla, 18, charged with possession of cocaine and engaging in 
organized crime.

Others arrested have yet to see a magistrate judge.

Alice Police Chief Jack Compton said the sweeps should result in a general 
decrease in thefts and robberies, at least for a few days or weeks because 
drug use typically drives most property crimes as users try to pay for 
their habit.

Espinoza said the Alice Police Department has performed the drug sweeps on 
a regular basis for at least two decades.

"We've seen it and it works," Espinoza said. "You can see a dramatic 
decline in thefts and burglaries."
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