Pleasanton PD NET busts underground operation




Officers discovered the the above Methamphetamine, high grade Marijuana, Marijuana wax, vape pens, firearms and $11,544 in US currency during their search on May 20. PLEASANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Officers discovered the the above Methamphetamine, high grade Marijuana, Marijuana wax, vape pens, firearms and $11,544 in US currency during their search on May 20. PLEASANTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Pleasanton Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (PNET) and the tactical response team executed a search warrant May 20 at Laura Lee Lane in the outskirts of Lytle.

During a search of the residence officers discovered 299 grams of Methamphetamine, 12.5 pounds of high-grade Marijuana, 362 grams of Marijuana wax, 117 THC vape pens, 18 firearms and $11,544 of United States currency.

PNET was assisted by the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, 81st District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, the Texas Highway Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations.

Arrested on the scene were Clinton Wayne Mann Jr., 33, and Sabrina Garcia, 31, both of Lytle. A third individual was encountered on scene, but was released on pending charges. Both Mann and Garcia were each charged with alleged Possession of Marijuana over five pounds but less than 50 pounds, Manufacture/ Delivery Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 over 200 grams but less than 400 grams, Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 2 over 400 grams and Theft of a Firearm.

District Attorney Audrey Louis and Pleasanton Police Chief Ronald Sanchez REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

District Attorney Audrey Louis and Pleasanton Police Chief Ronald Sanchez REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

During the raid, officers found that behind the residence there was a storage shed. Under that storage shed officers discovered a hatch in the floor with a ladder leading to an underground crudely constructed bunker that measured approximately 10 by 15 feet. There, officers discovered an alleged Marijuana growing operation that PNET described as sophisticated.

Chief Sanchez said that some people have been commenting on Pleasanton Police Department making drug seizures outside the City of Pleasanton. He explained why they now have that authority.

“We partnered with DA Audrey Louis with the 81st District and some select detectives have entered a memorandum of understanding which have given us jurisdiction in her five counties of Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, LaSalle and Wilson. Many of these cases begin in Pleasanton so we branched out and we try to intercept the drugs before they make it here to Pleasanton,” said Chief Sanchez. “That is our main objective. We have been incredibly successful, and we have made some significant narcotic seizures and will continue to be successful.”

Chief Sanchez said that PNET owes a lot of our success to DA Audrey Louis. “She is not afraid to stop the flow of drugs in our community,” said Chief Sanchez.

“I hand-selected officers to go under my jurisdiction and act as law enforcement agency in my five counties,” said 81st District Attorney Audrey Louis. “It is so beneficial that in narcotics investigations that begin in Pleasanton and may lead elsewhere, that these officers have jurisdiction to act. It has been tremendously beneficial to the District. It is a win-win.”

“I have never seen another agency like the Pleasanton Police Department be able to devote resources to exclusively proactively work narcotics,” said District Attorney Audrey Louis. “I give big thanks to Pleasanton’s city manager for allowing the Pleasanton Police Department to dedicate these individuals to fighting narcotics in our communities. The results have been phenomenal. This is a shining example of what law enforcement agencies can do if given the time and resources to exclusively fight drugs.”

Chief Sanchez said that this operation was successful because of the joint efforts put forth and the teamwork by all the agencies involved. He stated that the Pleasanton Police Department is dedicated to working with local state and federal partners to relentlessly seek out those responsible for distributing narcotics into the communities.

Also found during the raid, were a stolen vehicle and utility trailer along with other stolen tools. One of the firearms that was recovered was reported stolen in 2014 in Atascosa County.

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