48 Charged in Concho Valley Drug Trafficking Ring

SAN ANGELO, TX — A large-scale drug bust in Tom Green County last month was detailed Thursday by numerous law enforcement agencies.

On May 28, residents reported witnessing raids in and around San Angelo, which included the presence of helicopters.

As it turned out, it was part of an 18-month mission known as “Operation Concho Valley Shakedown” to dismantle a drug-trafficking operation.

The operation included local, state and federal agents.

In all, 48 people either dealing or possessing drugs were apprehended, according to Ryan Raybould, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

More than 79 pounds of methamphetamine was seized, along with nearly a pound of cocaine and 10 firearms.

Tom Green County Sheriff Nick Hanna said residents in the neighborhoods that were affected by the raids expressed gratitude for law enforcement removing the drug dealers from near their homes.

Raybould said this was just the beginning of what will be a larger federal presence in the Concho Valley.

Officials spoke at a press conference at the McNease Convention Center. They described last month's drug bust as a coordinated operation involving U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutors, the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, San Angelo Police Department and local district attorneys. 

Raybould said the drug-trafficking ring extended from Del Rio to Midland to Llano County.

This story will be updated.