August 15, 2003  Texas
Approx. $656,000 seized from 3 suspects in Texas

Special Agents with the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and narcotics police officers with the Rowlett, Texas and Grand Prairie, Texas police departments have arrested three defendants and seized approximately $656,000 in cash during an ongoing investigation.

The enforcement action occurred late Thursday and early Friday, August 14 and 15, 2003, after several hours of investigation by ICE agents and local narcotics officers regarding alleged narcotics smuggling and money laundering of drug sales proceeds. ICE agents and police officers initially arrested Julio Olivares, age 30, and Christian Ocana, age 28, after a traffic stop was made on the Nissan Altima vehicle they were driving. The law enforcement team discovered approximately $150,000 inside the trunk of the vehicle. Subsequent to that seizure, a search warrant was authorized and served at a residence on Forest Lane in Dallas, TX after 5 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2003.

The Grand Prairie Tactical Unit made entry into the residence on Forest Lane. The team arrested Blas Barios, age 23, without incident. A search of the master bedroom at the townhouse resulted in the seizure of approximately a half million dollars in cash contained in two duffel bags. A loaded firearm and numerous ledgers and notes were also seized at the residence.

The three defendants were arraigned in state court today on drug violations and ordered held on $250,000 bond.

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, was established to bring a unified focus to the enforcement of U.S. immigration and customs laws, with the principal goal of preventing violations by terrorists and other criminals who threaten the nation's security.

Source: ICE