San Antonio, TX — A newly obtained affidavit sheds light on a quiet but extensive investigation conducted by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on San Pedro Avenue prior to a high-profile immigration raid that resulted in 150+ detentions earlier this month.
According to the document, federal and state authorities had been monitoring 37-year-old Luis Amador Castillo-Hernandez at the 5900 block of San Pedro Avenue, where he was later arrested on a manufacture or delivery of 1–4 grams of cocaine charge.
Investigators arranged two controlled drug buys, first on September 27 and again on November 9, using a cooperating individual who worked with DPS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Controlled Buys Lead to Cocaine Charge
The affidavit outlines two key exchanges:
- On September 27, the cooperating individual reportedly used $150 in DPS funds to purchase three small plastic bags, later confirmed to contain 1.7 grams of cocaine.
- On November 9, the same individual exchanged $130 of state money for four plastic bags, which lab tests showed contained 1.6 grams of cocaine.
Authorities say Castillo-Hernandez was known to distribute cocaine at after-hours parties in the area, as per KSAT.
Just one week after the second controlled buy, the now-controversial raid unfolded at the intersection of Basse Road and San Pedro Avenue, drawing in multiple law enforcement agencies.
More Than 150 Immigrants Detained in North Side Raid
On the Sunday following the drug investigation milestone, 14 law enforcement agencies descended on an unauthorized nightclub in what authorities described as a coordinated operation led by the newly created Homeland Security Task Force – South Texas (HSTF-South Texas).
The raid resulted in the detention of over 150 immigrants. Many of those taken into custody were from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico, and other South American countries.
According to federal officials, dozens of people arrested in the operation are believed to have ties to Tren de Aragua, a violent gang originating in Venezuela that has drawn increasing attention from U.S. security agencies.
The detainees were transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. However, authorities have not yet released detailed demographic information, including the ages or genders of most individuals detained.
City Leaders Demand Transparency
The scale and secrecy surrounding the raid have prompted calls for clarity from public officials.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, along with Congressman Joaquin Castro and Congressman Greg Casar, issued formal requests for detailed information regarding the operation, including the immigration statuses of the people taken into custody.
In a public statement, Mayor Jones emphasized the city’s responsibility to ensure oversight and accountability, saying the requested information is essential to guarantee that law enforcement and local leaders remain aligned in “protecting public safety while maintaining public trust.”
Officials have not confirmed any direct link between the drug surveillance and the subsequent nightclub operation, leaving residents and advocacy groups questioning whether the two incidents are connected or simply coincidental.
Do you believe local leaders deserve more transparency about the raid and the people detained? Drop your thoughts in the comments — Newsbreak wants to hear from you.
