October 04, 2006  Austin, Texas
Austin Police Department received an asset forfeiture check for $707,536

On October 4, 2006 the Austin Police Department received an asset forfeiture check for $707,536 from the IRS that came from a cash and property seizure in connection with a narcotics operation.

The investigation began back in January 2004 by members of the Austin Police Department Organized Crime Unit after they received information of a cocaine smuggling organization that was transporting large amounts of cocaine from Texas to New Jersey. With the information they had received the Arizona Police Department was able seized a vehicle from a residence that contained a false compartment. In the compartment officers found over $700,000 in cash. Pedro Ramos, age 36, was arrested at the residence and $186,000 more was seized after his arrest. Along with the help of the DEA Task Force Agents from Williamson and Bastrop counties and the Dallas DEA, officer seized another $65,000 in cash and 80 kilograms of cocaine all from the same criminal organization. Along with these seizures four additional members of the organization were arrested. Through the remainder of the investigation that four additional members of the organization were arrested in Newark, New Jersey and returned to Arizona of trail. Among the arrested was the organization leader Richie Pozo.