U.S. Attorney and DEA San Antonio Field Division Announce New Overdose Task Force to Combat Drug Related Overdoses

SAN ANTONIO - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas and the Drug Enforcement Administration San Antonio Field Division announced the establishment of an Overdose Task Force aimed at investigating overdose cases in the San Antonio metropolitan area.

The Overdose Task Force was employed in support of a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) operation on Oct. 1. Together, the task forces executed a search warrant on three residences near the 1000 block of Torreon Street after allegedly observing multiple hand-to-hand controlled substance sales. The exchanges allegedly occurred out of the homes as well as a vehicle regularly parked outside the residences. Eight individuals were encountered in total. Three individuals were arrested and charged via federal complaints. All three federally charged defendants are previously convicted felons.

Valerie Samaniego is charged with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a sentence of five to 40 years in federal prison. Samaniego allegedly possessed 141 grams of a substance testing positive for fentanyl as well as a handgun, both hidden in the floors of a residence.

Alfredo Alejandro is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture, which also carries a sentence of five to 40 years in federal prison. Alejandro was allegedly found in possession of 128 grams of methamphetamine, 71 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture, 131 grams of cocaine, and 165 grams of various unknown pills, as well as a short barrel shot gun and an AR style rifle. A criminal complaint also alleges that law enforcement officers encountered more than 100 small baggies, digital scales with narcotics residue, along with $3,000 cash at Alejandro's residence, consistent with drug distribution.

Alejandro Reyes is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. He was allegedly found in possession of 27.58 grams of methamphetamine and 29.01 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture. Reyes has allegedly been previously observed completing hand-to-hand narcotics transactions from his vehicle outside of a Torreon Street residence.

"The DEA's Overdose Task Force, in collaboration with the Homeland Security Task Force, is allowing law enforcement entities across varying levels of government to combine their efforts against the fentanyl problem," said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons. "These task forces exist for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to collaborate in our shared mission, to eradicate crime in our community, and sweep dangerous drugs off our streets, ultimately protecting our families and enabling Americans to live their lives, enjoy the blessings of liberty, and pursue happiness."

While the DEA San Antonio office has been investigating overdose cases in the area, the establishment of this new joint overdose task force will help dedicate federal, state, and local resources to overdose investigations and utilize several investigative resources and tools to bring those responsible for overdoses to justice.

"Fentanyl-related overdose deaths are declining nationally, but that does not mean our work is over," said DEA San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Miguel A. Madrigal. "The DEA San Antonio Division will pursue those who devastate our communities by trafficking fentanyl and other illicit drugs, leaving families shattered and innocent lives lost. We have zero tolerance for those who profit from poisoning our communities, and we will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold them accountable and protect the public."

The Overdose Task Force includes state, local, and federal counterparts, including the DEA San Antonio Division, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff's Office, UTSA Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI.

"This Task Force brings together local, state and federal partners to save lives, hold drug traffickers accountable, disrupt the supply of dangerous drugs, and connect those in need with resources," said San Antonio Police Chief Jesus "Jesse" Salame.

The United States continues to face an unprecedented and evolving drug threat driven by illicit fentanyl, which is increasingly mixed with a dangerous array of synthetic substances emerging in the illicit market. These combinations are making an already deadly drug supply even more unpredictable and lethal.

Fentanyl-related deaths have declined over the past several years, yet fentanyl remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-45 years old. Last year, DEA intensified its fight against the deadly threat of synthetic opioids with the launch of its Fentanyl Free America initiative. To submit a tip regarding a possible violation of controlled substances laws and regulations, visit https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from FBI; ICE HSI; DEA; ATF; U.S. Border Patrol; USMS; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Texas Department of Public Safety; as well as local police departments and sheriff's offices, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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