Multi-Agency Raid Carried Out in East Texas Counties

EAST TEXAS (Staff/AP) — Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers executed arrest warrants Tuesday morning in Wood and Van Zandt Counties as a result of sealed indictments handed down from both a Van Zandt County grand jury and a federal grand jury. KETK reports a seven-month-long investigation conducted by the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, the Canton Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives yielded the indictments. Officials say at least 16 people were arrested.

Law enforcement personnel from the Van Zandt Co. Sheriff’s Office, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Van Marshal’s Office, Canton Police Department, Van Police Department, ATF, United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Texas Department of Public Safety, Van Zandt Co. Fire Marshal’s Office, Smith Co. Constable’s Office Pct. 4, Henderson Co Sheriff’s Office, and Van Zandt Co. Constable’s Office Pct. 4 made arrests Tuesday morning. The Ben Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department also assisted with the case.

Some warrants were served on people already in custody and some during traffic stops, while most were served at the wanted individual’s residence. Two search warrants were executed, one in Van Zandt County and one in Wood County, which also yielded arrests. Crystal methamphetamines and weapons, including stolen weapons, were recovered during the course of the investigation, according to authorities. The investigation focused primarily on alleged drug dealers and traffickers. Officials say the arrests have disrupted the sales networks of drug dealers in most of eastern Van Zandt County. More than half of the suspects arrested will be prosecuted in federal court, with the remainder being prosecuted in Van Zandt County District Court on state charges.