FBI raids South Side property near SAPD academy suspected of harboring meth smuggling ring

FBI and SAPD officers took several suspects into custody after a long-term investigation of a suspected methamphetamine smuggling ring on the South Side in the 800 block of E Chaveneaux. FBI and SAPD officers took several suspects into custody after a long-term investigation of a suspected methamphetamine smuggling ring on the South Side in the 800 block of E Chaveneaux. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close FBI raids South Side property near SAPD academy suspected of harboring meth smuggling ring 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Federal and local authorities raided a South Side property this morning as part of a long-term investigation into a suspected methamphetamine smuggling ring believed to have ties to Mexican drug-trafficking organizations.

"It is a federal takedown," said U.S. Attorney Richard Durbin.

The FBI already had taken several people into custody after obtaining an indictment earlier this week.

The property that was raided today, located in the 800 block of East Chavaneaux, is near the SAPD training academy, and officers assisted FBI agents.

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For more than two years, the property and suspects on it had been on the radar of multiple law enforcement agencies, sources said.

But because the home is quite a distance from the main road, it was difficult to maintain surveillance, the sources said. However, agents used other techniques to obtain enough evidence for an indictment.

One suspect is from Eagle Pass; another is from San Antonio.

Those in custody are having initial hearings in federal court later today.

gcontreras@express-news.net

Twitter: @gmaninfedland