Agents arrest two U.S. men in McAllen methamphetamine sting

Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested two United States men in a drug sting where they had a vehicle holding what authorities say was methamphetamine.

Agents arrested Jose Carlos Zavala-Arrambide, born in 1993, and Gerardo Mendoza, born in 1995, after Mendoza sent a vehicle into Mexico to be “loaded with narcotics.”

According to a criminal complaint, a brown Chevrolet Equinox made entry into the United States from Mexico through the Hidalgo Port of Entry on Friday when it was referred to secondary inspection, which is where U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents discovered a package.

“The package contained a white crystalline substance which later tested presumptive positive for characteristics of methamphetamine,” the complaint said.

Special Agents executed a controlled delivery of the vehicle to an H-E-B parking lot in McAllen where they continued to survey what the complaint refers to as “Target Vehicle 1.”

A few hours later, agents observed a red Toyota Corolla drive up next to the target vehicle, which is when Mendoza entered its driver side door upon exiting the Corolla.

The two vehicles then exited the H-E-B parking lot and drove into a gas station nearby where agents observed Zavala exit the Corolla and enter the back seat of the target vehicle.

“HSI SAs then observed Zavala and Mendoza moving small items from Target Vehicle 1 into [the Corolla],” the complaint said.

It was then that the agents approached both vehicles and apprehended both men.

A search of the vehicles resulted in the discovery of 11 brown tape wrapped packages in the backseat of both vehicles that weighed over 13 pounds collectively.

“Substance in the packages tested presumptive positive for characteristics of methamphetamine,” the complaint said.

Zavala told authorities that he knew there were narcotics concealed in the vehicle and that they were supposed to be delivered to another co-conspirator in McAllen, according to the complaint.

Mendoza stated he believed the vehicle contained methamphetamine and that he provided the Equinox “for the purpose of having it sent to Mexico to be loaded with narcotics.”

He added that Zavala “directed him” to take the vehicle from the parking lot.

Both men appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker Monday morning for their initial appearance and will return Wednesday morning for their detention hearing, according to court documents.