Pubdate: Fri, 01 Feb 2002
Source: Laredo Morning Times (TX)
Copyright: 2002 Laredo Morning Times
Contact:  http://www.lmtonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1140
Author: Robert Garcia

ZAPATA FIRE CHIEF ARRESTED

Zapata County lost its fire chief Wednesday night after he was arrested 
allegedly driving the "scout vehicle" in a smuggling operation that 
involved more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana.

Fernando Gonzalez, 48, was booked at the Zapata Regional Jail and released 
Thursday morning after posting an unsecured bail bond.

Zapata County Task Force Supervisor Robert Loza said the multi-agency 
investigation was working the area of Los Lobos Road where the arrest took 
place.

"He was driving opposite the vehicle with the load and was taken into 
custody by other officers," Loza said.

Total weight of the marijuana was placed at 1,121 pounds with a street 
value of more than $500,000.

Gonzalez has served with the Zapata County Fire Department for 18 years.

Firefighters at the fire station Thursday night did not know the status of 
Gonzalez's employment as fire chief with the county.

The narcotics investigation was headed by the Laredo Multi-agency Narcotic 
Task Force that includes the Laredo Police Department, U.S. Customs, the 
Zapata County Sheriff and County Attorney's Office and other area law 
enforcement agencies.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom