Feds Raid Office of Texas Border Sheriff Known for Downplaying Mexican Cartel Influence
During his time as sheriff, Cuellar has made a name for himself for his constant claim that the border is safe and for minimizing the presence of drug cartels in Laredo. This is despite the fact that the city is one of the main trafficking routes used by the Cartel Del Noreste faction of Los Zetas.
In 2015, Martin Cuellar claimed that a large-scale marijuana growing operation with more than 1,070 plants and with security guards armed with AK-47s was not tied to Los Zetas. As Breitbart Texas reported exclusively at the time a spokesman for the National Border Patrol Council revealed that the grow operation was tied to a Mexican drug cartel.
Cuellar is also the brother of U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) who was himself the target of an FBI raid in January 2022. Federal authorities served search warrants in his office and home, also in Laredo. As Breitbart Texas reported, the case was tied to a federal grand jury inquiry into Cuellar, his wife, and unnamed associates in relation to dealings with foreign officials from Azerbaijan and favors allegedly granted in exchange for valuables. At the time, the investigation caused much speculation about possible arrests or investigations. Since then, that case appears to have gone dormant.
When do they raid Brandon and his tree Garland?