Major drug bust at Abilene ice cream shop reveals ties to Mexican cartel

Diana Groom, Abilene Reporter-News
·2 min read
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In 2020, the Taylor County Sheriff's Office began a local narcotics investigation, which slowly grew in scope and magnitude. As detectives cast a wider net, they saw the drug operation cross county and state lines, as federal partners traced the drugs back to the Mexican cartel.

The result was a major drug bust Wednesday at Mary's Paleteria on South Treadaway Boulevard in Abilene. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office, along with the Abilene Police Department, assisted in the arrest of 17 U.S. citizens and the seizure of over 30 kilos of various drugs, in addition to over 60 firearms.

Abilene is 'the hub'

The Taylor County Sheriff's Office began the original investigation in 2020, but saw it quickly grow, becoming "extremely complex." The office subsequently partnered with APD before realizing that they "needed to invite our federal law enforcement officers as well," according to Sheriff Ricky Bishop.

According to Bishop, the investigation revealed that the drug operation busted in Abilene stretched across "the entire state of Texas," with links to 12 other states. The investigation also exposed roots that began in Mexico.

Bishop emphasized in the press conference held Thursday that "every bit of this investigation has a direct link to the cartel in Mexico." He noted that this link in turn reflects the current situation with Texas' border security as well.

Taylor County Sheriff Ricky Bishop stands beside Abilene Police Department Chief Ron Seratte during Thursday’s announcement of a major drug bust for Abilene and the surrounding counties Feb. 22, 2024. Bishop said 17 people were arrested in raids on Wednesday carried out by local, state and federal agents.
Taylor County Sheriff Ricky Bishop stands beside Abilene Police Department Chief Ron Seratte during Thursday’s announcement of a major drug bust for Abilene and the surrounding counties Feb. 22, 2024. Bishop said 17 people were arrested in raids on Wednesday carried out by local, state and federal agents.

Bishop also cautioned that Abilene is "the hub in this area to distribute these narcotics," with the price of fentanyl becoming cheaper.

'More to come'

The U.S. Attorney's Office released the federal indictments yesterday of the 17 alleged drug dealers caught in the bust Wednesday. This group arrested consisted of both men and women charged with various charges related "conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances" related to methamphetamine, cocaine, and/or fentanyl.

According to the press release, "the cases are being prosecuted by the West Texas Branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas."

According to the APD press release, the operation "involved more than 80 agents and officers" from ATF, the DEA, the FBI, APD, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security and IRS Criminal Investigations.

Officers in the bust also "seized 29 kilos of meth, 721 grams of cocaine, 1,370 grams of fentanyl, and 60 firearms." Bishop credits the countless hours of hard work of his and APD's officers in this operation, saying that he "cannot thank all of our partners enough."

Bishop did stress, however, that "this investigation is fluid," and that he anticipates "many more arrests in the future." He warned that there will be "more to come."

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Drug bust at Abilene ice cream shop reveals ties to Mexican cartel