Two men from Rio Grande City, Texas, were taken into custody following the discovery of a significant quantity of cocaine during a routine traffic stop by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), as per a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin. Salvador Garcia Jr., 65, and Jose Ramon Delgado III, 39, were federally charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
On November 20, 2025, just after 7 a.m., authorities pulled over a Ford F-250 on US 281 and Alberta Road in Edinburg, TX during an operation by the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group, Garcia, the driver, exhibited signs of potential criminal activity which consequently prompted a deeper investigation by the DPS, who had support from U.S. Border Patrol among other agencies, during a traffic stop initially triggered by failure to drive in a single lane as indicated by the criminal complaint detailed by Border Report.
Upon gaining consent from Garcia to search the vehicle, a DPS K-9 named Fire alerted officers to the presence of cocaine, totaling about 137 pounds, concealed in a false compartment underneath the truck's bed. In the tapes-wrapped bundles, the street value of the narcotics was estimated to be around $1 million.
Delgado, confirmed as a Valluco gang member by the DPS invoked his right to counsel and, before acquiring legal representation, disclosed that “he is affiliated with the Valluco criminal street gang” adding that “as part of the organization, no information is shared with law enforcement,” during the interrogation, Garcia also invoked his right to counsel and both men were subsequently turned over to the United States Marshals, according to statements from Border Report.
Garcia remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m. his attorney, Carlos Andres Garcia, couldn't be reached for comment. Delgado waived his detention hearing and will remain in federal custody pending trial, with his attorney Zelene Vianey Zaleta also out of reach for a statement.
