EAGE LAKE — Members of the Austin County Regional Special Response Team and the Texas Department of Public Safety Special Response Team executed arrest and search warrants on two residences located in the 200 block of Allen Street and 500 block of East Union Street in Eagle Lake on Feb. 1 at approximately 5 a.m.
Two helicopters were on standby in case the suspects fled the scene. At one of the residences, a flash-bang device was used to disorient the suspects inside.
The operation was the result of an ongoing narcotics investigation by the Westside (HIDTA) Narcotics Task Force. Task Force officers had been in vestigating reports of narcotics being distributed from both residences. Suspects Frank Cantu Sr., 63, Frank Cantu Jr., 33 and Deborah Cantu, 55, were arrested without incident.
Methamphetamine was seized during the operation. Manufacture and/or Delivery of Controlled Substance charges were filed on all defendants. The defen dants were booked into the Colorado County Jail in Columbus without incident.
Eagle Lake Police Chief Donald Chaney said, “The Eagle Lake Police Department partnered with the Colora- do County Sheriff's Office, The Texas Department of Public Safety, The Westside Narcotics Task Force, and Austin Sheriff's Office to execute two search warrants and multiple felony arrest warrants. This was a multi-agency effort that proved to be successful because of the cooperation between each agency.
The targeted locations and suspects have been an issue plaguing the City of Eagle for some time. After collaboration among agencies, probable cause was found, and action was taken. I, as chief, believe in community-oriented policing and know firsthand how narcotics can and do destroy the community.
The narcotics issues here were one of the first things that was brought to my attention and needed to be addressed. As with all successful narcotics operations, they do not happen overnight and require oversight from every entity involved in the prosecution process.
The citizens of Eagle Lake deserve to be able to live in their own community and not be plagued with the issues that come with narcotics trafficking, such as assaults, burglaries, thefts, and other property crimes.
Eagle Lake Police Department has had a negative image for a long time, and I, as chief and all our new officers, are striving to regain the respect of the community that has been lost. I have many ideas and plans to build a better police department and involve the community as a partner in the process. What most people must understand is that it is a collaborative effort to make Eagle Lake better. It takes the citizens and the police department working together. One cannot be successful without the other.
This operation was successful due to the fact citizens in the community wanted better for Eagle Lake and spoke out. If the community reaches out to the police department to rid the city of crime, the members of the Eagle Lake Police Department and I will reach back to ensure that we make this city safe for all residents and visitors. The best way to ensure this happens is when you see something, say something.”
The Westside Narcotics Task Force covers four counties and is comprised of investigators from the Austin County Sheriff's Office, Bellville PD, Sealy PD, Hempstead PD, Waller County Sheriff’s
Office, Fayette County Sheriff's Office, Colorado County Sheriff's Office, and
DEA. The Colorado County Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation.
The Eagle Lake Police Department and the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the operation.
