CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas — Five people were arrested after multiple law enforcement agencies found a lab suspected of converting multiple kilograms of liquid meth into crystal ice meth in Cherokee County Tuesday.
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said officials found a meth conversion lab with 540 grams of meth, and they also seized seven firearms after executing a search warrant on CR 1316, off Highway 84 East in Rusk.
Four people were arrested for anticipated federal drug conspiracy charges and a fifth person was arrested for illegal immigration. The sheriff's office believes they all have suspected ties within Mexico. Those arrested include:
- Victor Toledo
- Ezequiel Perez-Gonzalez
- Pedro Perez (immigration violation)
- Matthew Morris
The sheriff's office said this investigation is a joint effort with Homeland Security, CCSO and the Jacksonville Police Department began two years ago. Dickson also said that 10 kids, ranging in ages 1 to 14, were found and temporarily placed with
"This will have a huge impact on our county it is taking drugs off the streets. It's removing the the element that they're all using. Hopefully it will slow down," Dickson said. "Drug use burglaries this forced them to go somewhere else to get their product."
Dickson said all five of the people arrested have been detained at the sheriff's office and no bonds have been set at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
The following agencies were involved in the search warrant Tuesday morning: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security, Jacksonville Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Smith County Sheriff's Office, Texas DPS CID, and Texas DPS SWAT.
Officials anticipate that other arrests are possible.
"Thank you to all of the law enforcement involved.," the sheriff's office said. "This is a win for Cherokee County and its citizens."