Two Arrested On Drug Charges In Texas County

On September 23, officers pulled over a 1999 Mercury Villager bearing New Mexico tags for going 44 mph in an 40 mph zone according to the affidavit for probable cause filed at the Texas County Court Clerk’s Office.

The affidavit states Bernardo Saenz, 35, was driving the vehicle and Zobehida Garza, 40, was the passenger.

Officers deployed a K-9 Unit that detected the presence of illegal narcotics states the affidavit. The man and woman were detained and the vehicle was searched.

Upon further search of the vehicle, officers located a compartment in the dash of the van in the glove box area. Five bundles, wrapped in black electrical tape, were removed. Once punctured, a white powder substance was exposed. Another bundle was located in the back seat in a duffle bag. The two were then taken into custody. Garza denied any knowledge of the drugs being in the vehicle.

The report goes on to say, officers tested the bundles. They all tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers weighed the six bundles, the combined weight was five pounds.

Both individuals are being charged with:

Count 1: Aggravated trafficking in an illegal drug, methamphetamine, within 2000 feet of a school or park, a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not less than 15 years to not more than Life and a fine of not less than $100,000 to not more than $500,000.

Count 2: Conspiracy to commit aggravated trafficking in an illegal drug, methamphetamine, within 2000 feet of a school or park, a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not less than 15 years to not more than Life and a fine of not less than $100,000 to not more than $500,000.

Count 3: Possession of CDS without Tax Stamp affixed, a felony, punishable by up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to $10,000 or both.

Both Saenz and Garza are being held at the Texas County Detention Center with bonds of $250,000.