Feds, DPS Intercept Big Time Meth Mule and Seize 1,556 Grams

ABILENE, TX – The Texas Department of Public Safety shut down a large methamphetamine distribution operation just in time for Christmas. 

According to a criminal complaint signed on November 14, the Texas Department of Public Safety was tipped by a confidential informant that another large shipment of methamphetamine was about to be delivered to Abilene via car driving to Abilene via TX 36 through Cross Plains. 

The informant told police that the driver of the car would be Luis Adolfo Pena who was already wanted for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, and a motion to revoke from a previous possession of a controlled substance charge. 

After learning this, troopers studied his expected route and projected him to drive into Taylor County on TX 36. Once the armada of law enforcement officers in marked and unmarked cars spotted him, an unmarked car followed Pena until a DPS trooper in a marked vehicle unit caught up to him. This is when Pena was pulled over for an equipment violation on his car. 

 During the initial encounter with the trooper, Pena wouldn't provide an ID and also lied about who he was. At this time, a DPS criminal investigations detective was called in. 

Under further questioning, Pena finally gave up his identity and he was arrested for his outstanding warrants. His car was then searched for probable cause of a crime and inside was a FIE Model Titan .380 pistol and a box that contained 1,556 grams of methamphetamine. Authorities also found a ledger believed to be used for keeping track of his drug sales transactions and a stock small plastic baggies suitable for the distribution of meth.

After the discovery of the contraband, Pena admitted that he had been transporting the same amount of meth along the same route by car two or three times a week for the past five months. 

He is currently facing multiple felony charges and has been indicted for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession fo a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking activity, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm. 

He has a jury trial set for February 3 in Lubbock in Judge Hendrix's federal court.