Border Star Deputies arrest 1 after finding cocaine in travel bag
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / Public Information Officer
Direct: (915) 538-2223
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date & Time: Monday, June 24, 2008 4:00 PM
WHO: El Paso County Sheriff's Office
WHAT: BorderStar Deputies arrest 1 for Possession of Cocaine
WHERE: 400 block of Piedras, El Paso, Texas
WHEN: Friday, June 20, 2008 at approximately 12:45 PM
WHY: Arrest Made
INFORMATION:
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office in coordination with the United States Border Patrol, the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition, the Coastal Bend Sheriffs Coalition and border area police departments, the State of Texas launched Operation Border Star in mid-September. This operation is a unified high intensity, multi-agency effort focused on reducing crime in targeted regions along the Texas-Mexico border. The operation will continue for a time period that will remain undisclosed for operational security purposes.
“By joining together with our local, state and federal partners, we will support the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol, and protect our communities by dominating the border,” Perry said. “While securing our international borders is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government, Texas can and will assist in that effort to maximize its effect.”- Governor Rick Perry
Over the weekend, on 06-20-08 at approximately 12:40 PM. Sheriff Deputies working Operation Border Star conducted a traffic stop on a Green 2000 Nissan Sentra at the 400 block of Piedras in El Paso, Texas. Deputies made contact with the driver an explained the reason for the traffic stop which was for failing to drive in a single lane. The driver told Deputies he was unfamiliar with the area and was also distracted by talking on his cellular phone which caused him to swerve. Deputies noticed that driver was acting very nervous and was evasive of questions asked of him. Deputies sought & obtained consent from the driver to search the vehicle. Deputies began searching the vehicle and located a partially opened blue travel bag under the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed the travel bag contained several plastic bags of cocaine (approximately 400 grams).
The driver was placed under arrest and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance >200 grams < 400 grams (Cocaine)-1st Degree Felony.
He was identified as Gerardo Garcia-Carillo (35) of the 900 block of Adams, Anthony, NM. He remains at the El Paso County Detention Facility under an $80,000 Bond.
Gerardo Garcia-Carillo (35)
Charge: Possession of a Controlled Substance >200 grams < 400 grams (Cocaine)- $80,000 Bond