Benito Hernandez organization bought the narcotic along the Mexican border, transport it in vehicles to Williamson County and sell it

Benito Saucedo Hernandez bought the narcotic along the Mexican border, transport it in vehicles to Williamson County and sell it to local distributors, authorities said. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Greg Thrash said law enforcement officials had known of Hernandez's organization for several years, but Hernandez was skilled in surveillance and flew under the radar. That is, until Monday, when authorities caught up with him. "They all finally raise their head, and their head gets caught in the net," Thrash said. By Monday, federal and local law enforcement authorities had arrested Hernandez and 11 others in Taylor and Elgin. Eight of them, including Hernandez, were arrested Monday when officials simultaneously executed four narcotics search warrants. Officials also seized two guns, about a half a kilogram, or about a pound, of cocaine and approximately $20,000 during the searches, Thrash said. The arrests came after more than two years of investigation into cocaine distribution in the Taylor area, Thrash said. He said Hernandez was the leader and others arrested were either buying cocaine from him or helping him sell it.
"He was essentially a wholesaler," Thrash said. "The Benito Hernandez organization was quite significant. And it's extremely significant in a smaller town such as Taylor." Thrash did not have a dollar estimate of how much money officials think Hernandez was making. Hernandez and eight others were indicted in federal court April 7 on charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, according to court documents. The first charge is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison; the second charge is punishable by up to 20 years. Officials did not release the names of those who are indicted but not in custody.
In addition to Hernandez, the following people face federal charges: Arturo Garcia, 34, of Taylor; Pauline Gamboa, 34, of Leander; Gabriel Anthony Ross, 28, of Taylor; Ivan Navaro Almazon, 25, of Elgin; Willson Chealiang Ng, 37, of Austin; Slade Leighton Brockman, 28, of Granger; and Higinio Almazan, 26, of Elgin.
Also, Carmene Dominguez, 42, and Javri Euan, 17, both of Taylor, and Mario Almazan of Elgin were charged with possession of cocaine, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Eduardo Garcia, 19, of Taylor was charged with possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail.

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