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Austin Police Charge 14 In Heroin Trafficking Ring

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Mar 6, 2007 7:10 am US/Mountain

Austin Police Charge 14 In Heroin Trafficking Ring

CBS News Interactive: Substance Abuse In America

AUSTIN, Texas (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 2: Austin Police have charged 14 people in connection with a heroin trafficking ring. They say the heroin was packaged for resale inside balloons.
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Click to enlarge 2 of 2: Austin police and BATF agents seized so-called black tar heroin.
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CBS News Interactive: Substance Abuse In America

Nearly half of all the heroin in Austin, Texas, is now off the streets, according to local police, who say a two-year investigation by federal and local law enforcement broke up a large heroin trafficking ring.

Police say the Castro brothers and Celedon family supplied a big portion of the heroin used in the city. Their arrests, police say, take about 40 percent of the illegal drug off the streets and put 14 members of a trafficking organization behind bars, reports Gregg Watson of CBS station KEYE-TV in Austin.

They look like pastel colored candy, but police say they're much more dangerous - balloons packed with heroin.

Officers and federal agents seized more than 60 balloons and arrested brothers Henry, René and Randy Castro on suspicion of selling it.

A federal grand jury indicted 14 people in connection with the Castro heroin trafficking organization Feb. 20. On Feb. 28, the following people were arrested on the grand jury indictments:

• Henry Castro, 30
• René Gaitan Castro, 35
• Randy Gaitan Castro, 24
• Amy Gaitan Castro, 22
• James Xavier Lara, 24
• Miranda Rae Ruiz, 26
• Mindy Paredes Valdez a.k.a. Mindy Duran, 27
• Samuel James Saldana, 27

Six other suspects already in custody were also charged with taking part in the heroin trafficking ring:

• Johnny Ruiz, Jr., 27
• Angel Fajardo Palaminos, 24
• Jimmy Lucio, 46
• Juan Ramirez, 42
• Mark Gomez, 30
• Joe Louis Garcia, Jr., 57

Police say all suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

The investigation was a joint effort from the Austin Police Department as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Police say heroin is very addictive and enters the brain, giving an instant rush. But, they say, it also produces feelings of depression that can last for weeks.

This investigation follows another case of heroin trafficking last November. Fifteen members of the Celedon family were sent to prison for selling the illegal drug.