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Border Patrol agents at the Sarita checkpoint apprehended two men after finding more than 31 pounds of cocaine concealed inside a black suitcase, according to a criminal complaint.
Walter Lee Houze, born in 1963, and Jose Taurus Burks, born in 1973, were charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing a little over 31 pounds of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
On Tuesday, Houze and Burks arrived at the checkpoint in a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Houze and was referred for inspection.
It was then that Houze alerted agents to a handgun he had in his waistband after agents questioned about the presence of weapons in the vehicles.
A K-9 unit then alerted its handler to the rear cargo area of the vehicle.
“During the subsequent physical search of the vehicle, [31.4 pounds] of a white, powdery substance were found concealed in a black suitcase, intermingled with clothing and laundry detergent beads,” the complaint said.
As they were being placed under arrest, Houze asked an agent who had “ratted.”
Two of the packages found were field-tested which returned a positive for the characteristics of cocaine.
During an interview, Burks admitted to traveling down to South Texas from Michigan in order to assist in the purchase and transport of cocaine with Houze.
He added that he was present with Houze at an address located in Hidalgo County earlier that week when they purchased the cocaine.
“Burks stated that he knew they were transporting cocaine and that the luggage in which the cocaine was concealed in belonged to Houze,” the complaint said.
He further explained how the two of them had a conversation regarding the cocaine during the trip and that Burks was supposed to be paid an unknown amount by Houze for assisting.
Both men are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis on Friday morning for their preliminary examination and detention hearing.
