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." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D