Former Mexican Safety Director Arrested On Drug Charges

By Martin Bartlett

EL PASO — Saulo Reyes-Gamboa, a former director of public safety for Ciudad Juarez was arrested Wednesday night on charges related to drugs and bribery.

Investigators allege that Reyes-Gamboa tried to bribe an undercover agent posing as a government official into allowing drugs to be smuggled across an international port of entry into El Paso.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Carl Rusnok said he was charged with possession with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and bribery of a public official. He appeared in court on Thursday.

Thursday, ICE agents then raided a ‘stash house’ in Horizon City where they found nearly a ton of marijuana that they believe Reyes-Gamboa had already arranged to smuggled into the U.S.

The agents arrested27-year-oldKarina Tarangoand charged herwith possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute.

ICE Spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said his ranks within the drug trafficking organization was also unknown and it was unclear what relationship, if anyTarango shared with Gamboa.

“The only link that I know of at this time was that[Tarango]was storing the marijuana that[Reyes-Gamboa] had earlier arranged to have smuggled into the U.S.,” Zamarripa said.

Reyes-Gamboa is known to own several business franchises throughout Juarez including Subway and Silver Streak locations as well as a sushi restaurant.

Online court records didn’t show an attorney for Reyes and officials didn’t immediately know if he had one yet.