The U.S. Marshals’ Lone Star Fugitive Task Force is asking for the public’s help tracking down Alfonso Araujo, who officials say took off after a botched attempt to fake a drug test in San Antonio. Investigators report that Araujo is wanted for violating the terms of his pretrial release on smuggling charges and has been on the run ever since. He is described as about 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing roughly 180 pounds, with noticeable tattoos on his neck and chest.
According to deputies, Araujo tried to sneak another person’s urine into a random drug test using a plastic bottle tucked inside his boot. When staff confronted him and he allegedly admitted the swap, officers say he bolted rather than provide a fresh sample. Authorities believe he may be hiding on San Antonio’s far northeast side and caution that fugitives often change their look to dodge recognition. Anyone with information on where he might be is urged to call the U.S. Marshals’ Lone Star Fugitive Task Force tip line at (210) 657-8500, as reported by KABB / Fox San Antonio.
What the Marshals Want You to Know
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force is a U.S. Marshals led unit that pulls together multiple agencies to hunt for wanted suspects across the Western District of Texas, and it is coordinating the effort to find Araujo. Officials stress that members of the public should not try to approach, confront, or detain any wanted person. Tips should be sent to the San Antonio tip line or shared through official channels, as described by the U.S. Marshals Service.
How Test Tampering Shows Up in Local Cases
Trying to trick a drug test by swapping out urine, whether with another person’s sample or a store bought synthetic product, is a familiar move for courts and treatment programs. Local coverage has highlighted efforts to tighten rules on synthetic urine sales after investigations revealed the products were regularly used to sidestep mandatory testing, as reported by KSAT.
Legal Implications
Araujo is currently wanted for allegedly violating pretrial release conditions tied to smuggling charges, although officials have not indicated whether prosecutors will pursue any additional counts related to the test tampering itself. Violating pretrial terms typically results in being picked back up and held in custody while a judge reviews whether release should be revoked, according to local reporting by KABB / Fox San Antonio.
Anyone who believes they have seen Araujo or knows where he might be should not try to play hero. Instead, contact the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force at (210) 657-8500 or share a tip with the U.S. Marshals Service through official channels. Public tips often help close the gap on wanted suspects and speed up fugitive investigations, as noted by the U.S. Marshals Service.
