A recent drug bust in Travis County proved to be among the biggest in decades.
In August 2023, the TCSO Vice Unit received information and began an investigation into alleged large-scale drug trafficking activities of suspect Juan Jose Cardenas-Flores. Amid the investigation, the Vice Unit also linked Cardenas-Flores to a reported robbery being investigated by the Austin Police Department. Vice Unit investigators, working jointly with APD robbery detectives and the DEA Task Force, developed information resulting in the issuance of a state robbery warrant for Cardenas-Flores and a search warrant, which were executed on Oct. 5, 2023. The surveillance and arrest of Cardenas-Flores led to the seizure of approximately 15.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and various firearms.
On Dec. 19, 2023, Cardenas-Flores was indicted by a federal grand jury for violations of Title 21 USC Section 841: possession with the intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance.
Lab results indicated the methamphetamine seized had 87% purity, with TCSO field tests also indicating the presence of fentanyl. This is the largest reported seizure of methamphetamine by the TCSO Vice Unit in more than 20 years.
