Texas Town Officials Entangled in Major Drug Trafficking Allegations

Police cars and school buses on a road.

A scandal in Progreso, Texas, unfolds as public officials face criminal charges in a drug trafficking network that ensnares the very fabric of the small community.

At a Glance

  • Former Progreso ISD President Frank Alaniz admits guilt, exposing a broader conspiracy.
  • Current Mayor Gerardo Alanis is embroiled in controversy over drug storage on school premises.
  • A network of public officials and a city council candidate faces narcotics trafficking charges.
  • Investigations by federal agencies reveal systemic corruption within Progreso’s local government.

Key Figures and Charges

Francisco “Frank” Alaniz, the former Progreso ISD President, is at the center of this investigation, arrested for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including cocaine. A federal grand jury indicted him on three counts, with a potential sentence ranging from ten years to life imprisonment and a $10 million fine, if convicted. Alaniz is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/progreso-official-charged-drug-trafficking

Alongside him, Jose Rosbel Salas has confessed and awaits sentencing. Other implicated individuals—David Gomez Ramos, Gregorio Salinas, and Juan Pablo Serrata—remain in custody as the investigation unfolds. The investigation has been spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations with support from agencies like the DEA.

The Alaniz Family’s Widening Net

Progreso’s current Mayor, Gerardo “Jerry” Alanis, has been implicated in the scandal, adding layers to the pervasive network of corruption. The mayor is accused of involvement in drug storage on school premises, particularly at Dorothy Thompson Middle School. In 2020, a school bus driver’s arrest ignited an inquiry linking the Alaniz family to illegal activities.

Gerardo’s bond was denied by a judge due to the risk he poses to the community. More than $722,000 was reportedly discovered at his mother’s residence, linking him further to illicit activities.

Broader Implications and Community Impact

The fallout from this scandal transcends legal proceedings, shaking the very core of community trust in Progreso. This case highlights the vulnerability of border communities to corruption and illicit trade. The allegations encompass not only connections to drug trafficking but also the loss of faith in elected officials tasked with protecting and serving the community.

According to a blog on lawyer Bryan Fagan’s website, “The magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt deemed Progreso Mayor Gerardo “Jerry” Alanis a significant risk to the community, leading her to decide that he should not be granted bond and must remain in custody pending the resolution of his drug charges.”

With multiple arrests and ongoing trials, the federal task force, OCDETF, continues to unravel this complex web of organized crime. The discovery of drugs distributed from public institutions raises questions about oversight and the far-reaching impact on community safety and governance.

Sources:

  1. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/progreso-official-charged-drug-trafficking
  2. https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/feds-arrest-former-progreso-city-council-candidate-on-drug-trafficking-charges/
  3. https://www.bryanfagan.com/blog/2024/june/big-texas-drug-smuggling-progresso-mayor-gerardo-alanis-seized/
  4. https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/former-progreso-mayor-pleads-guilty-in-federal-drug-trafficking-case/
  5. https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Studies/TOC_Central_America_and_the_Caribbean_english.pdf
  6. https://ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/drug-related-corruption-public-officials
  7. https://fairandjustprosecution.org/issues/promoting-community-trust-and-police-accountability/
  8. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-expanding-international-reach-of-chinas-police/
  9. https://www.naacpldf.org/naacp-publications/ldf-blog/the-truth-about-trust-and-police/