Law enforcement authorities arrested 19 people after a long-term investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization operating in Alice, according to an Oct. 8 news release from the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
The investigation began in March 2024 and identified members of the Villagran family and their associates as allegedly operating multiple drug distribution locations in and around Alice.
The arrests took place on Sept. 22 and included the assistance of multiple federal law enforcement agencies, according to federal court records and the Oct. 8 news release.
The federal indictment filed on Sept. 9 in the Southern District Court of Texas Corpus Christi Division names the people arrested, each facing two
counts of federal drug conspiracy.
The first count alleges a conspiracy to possess and distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine between approximately March 1, 2024, and June 20, 2026.
The second count alleges a conspiracy to possess and distribute 280 grams of crack cocaine between approximately Feb. 25, 2026, and June 20, 2026.
The indictment accuses Joel Sanchez, 31; David Villagran Jr., 34; Rene Villagran, 36; David Villagran Sr., 51; Jose Romeo Sanchez, 37; Esteban Mata, 29; Matthew Cantu, 39; Sierra Watrin, 30; Jewel Watrin, 32; Joshua Rios, 44; Esiquio Juarez, 53; Richard Garza, 66; Christopher Johnson, 20; Jake Rangel, 28; Sierra Rodriguez, 23; Joel Flores, 52; David Cantu, 39; Lucia Gonzalez, 34; and Cindy Gutierrez, 42.
All have made their initial appearances in federal court.
The news release said that senior members of the organization are accused of using violence to control workers, including locking them inside homes and forcing them to distribute drugs through small openings in the doors.
According to the news release, authorities executed 11 search warrants throughout Alice and discovered more than 35 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, cocaine, crack cocaine, nearly $100,000 in U.S. currency, drug ledgers, digital scales covered with drug residue and other items associated with drug trafficking.
The charges allege higher-ranking members pooled money to obtain kilogram quantities of cocaine from outside suppliers, including sources in Mexico, before supplying it to others for distribution, the news release said.
If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case.
Jury selection and a trial are scheduled to take place on Nov. 2 before U.S. Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos in Corpus Christi, according to federal court records.
Felicity Guajardo covers breaking news and public safety. Contact her at felicity.guajardo@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Federal drug trafficking investigation in Alice leads to 19 arrests
