Drug Stash Unit Seizes $700,000 In Pot

EL PASO — A West Texas drug stash house unit seized more than 800 pounds of marijuana Tuesday.

30-year-old Edgar Garcia – of 11821 Priscilla – was arrested after more than 200 pounds of marijuanawere found inside his van. He was stopped by stash unit agents in the 1500 block of Lee Trevino.

Garcia then led investigators tohis residence – where close to 600 pounds of marijuana were found. The total street value of the pot seized in both busts was estimated at close to $700,000, officials said.

Garcia was booked into the El Paso County Jail and charged with Possession of Marijuana over 50 pounds. The Stash Unit depends on tips from the public to continue to fight illegal narcotics in our community.

Officials with the stash unit say they rely on tips from the public to operate.

Here are some of their tips to pointing out a possible stash house in your neighborhood:

Homes are rented, have attached garages, dirty yards and little – if any – furniture. The occupants keep to themselves, are not visible on a daily basis and do not hold a normal lifestyle pattern. Different vehicles – especially vans and trucks – enter and exit the garage. Vehicles arriving at the house have different, out of town plates and paper dealer plates. On occasions – sudden activity is seen at the home after days or weeks of inactivity. Mail and advertisements accumulate at the door or mailbox. Occupants do not usually put their trash out for regular collection and prefer to dump it at another location themselves.

Officials remind the public that these are possible indicators and do not necessarily mean the occupants of the home are running a stash house.

They urge residents to support suspicious activity to the West Texas Stash House Unit at 915-629-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 566-8477(TIPS).