When drug dealers get ripped off, they can't call police but they can hire a Houston crew of thugs to even the score.

That's the contention of federal agents, who Tuesday night arrested a four-person team whose leader supposedly said they were willing to kill, torture or pistol-whip guards at a rival dealer's house to steal a load of cocaine.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives charges in an affidavit filed in federal court that the crew was led by Chris Montelongo, a hefty repeat felon who describes himself as an experienced home invader with plenty of jobs under his belt.

The team was caught on the way to what the ATF says was a faux attack in Houston set up by agents,

They were charged not with plotting an assault, but conspiracy to possess cocaine, about $90,000 worth, to pay for the job of getting back a load worth about $500,000.

Their tools weren't battering rams and machine guns, but handguns, ski masks, gloves and zip ties, according to the ATF affidavit, filed by agent Tommy Doyle.

The scheme seemed typical of attack squads in which victims are criminals and hesitant to call law enforcement. Doors are kicked in and homes are torn apart as invaders search for drugs, bulk cash or other hidden wealth, said Don Clark, a retired FBI agent who headed the agency's Houston and San Antonio offices and is now a consultant.

"It is all about them getting the goods and stealing," he said.

Torture and murder is not unusual, according to past cases.

"It is not uncommon, even with the organized crime mob," Clark said. "If a particular mobster has done something that has ticked the rest of the mob off, they are going to go after him."

2006 incident

In Houston, there have been numerous attacks linked to gangs and drug cartels.

One of the more infamous incidents came in 2006, when four gunmen attacked a Houston home.

The resident, who had a long criminal history, shot one, injured another and sent the survivors scurrying.

He was not charged with a crime, as authorities ruled he acted in self defense.

The others arrested Tuesday along with Montelongo were Johnny Hernandez; Mark Diaz; and Alfredo Garcia Jr, according to the ATF.

Ages and hometowns were not immediately available.

To snare them, an ATF undercover agent posed as a disgruntled drug courier who was part of an organized crime network. He wanted to hire the team to steal a load.

Undercover agent

They first met at a Houston restaurant and used face-to-face talks, cell phone conversations and text messages to seal the deal, according to the affidavit.

Stealing drugs from drug traffickers required planning and expertise the revenge squad told an undercover agent, according to the ATF.

They needed a diagram of the stash house as well as to know about any counter surveillance there and how many guards would be in place, according to the affidavit.

A member assured the undercover agent posing as the courier that he'd be safe during the rip-off because harming him would hurt their reputation, the document continues.

dane.schiller@chron.com