Jun 18, 2007 6:54 am US/Eastern
Texas Grandma Busted For Allegedly Dealing Heroin
Feds Say Woman Has Links To Mexican Mafia
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (CBS) ―
A 56-year-old grandmother who cares for her ailing father and grandchildren has been arrested on suspicion of dealing heroin authorities in Texas said.
Authorities believe she is a high-level intermediary between the Mexican Mafia and local distributors of black tar heroin.
Rose Cruz was taken into federal custody Friday and faces a charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
Authorities have seized about 16 ounces of heroin worth about $315,000 dollars.
Cruz's neighbors describe her as nice and extroverted, but say she kept odd hours.
Cruz remains in federal custody in San Antonio.
Th FBI says the Mexican Mafia was organized in the Los Angles prison system and has expanded power outside of the penal facilities and are organized into ethnic groups who are trying to control narcotics, contract killings, robbery and forgery.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
