A suspected illegal alien faces drugs and firearm charges following a traffic stop at a grocery store parking lot in Granite Shoals.
The incident unfolded around 7:15 a.m. on Jan. 28 at the Supermarket, located in the 7900 block of RM 1431, within the city limits.
The agency stopped the suspect using two marked units and two unmarked units in the parking lot of the Supermarket.
“This was part of an investigation that we were working out,” Granite Shoals Police Chief John Ortis said, during a Jan. 31 interview. “We were able to do surveillance.
“We were able to bring in myself and Capt. (Chad) Taliaferro Tuesday morning to assist patrol with the stop.”
Heric Gonzalez Alvarado, 37, who police described as maintaining a residence in Granite Shoals, was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance (4-200 grams) and unlawful carrying of a weapon as well as an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer, according to jail records.
“Once officers made the stop on the individual, we located a small amount, a felonious amount, of cocaine and a pistol in the truck,” Ortis added.
A heavy procession of commuters witnessed the stop, due to time and location on the main thoroughfare of the community.
“That's where we activated our traffic stop. It wasn't a planned event,” Ortis said. “It was coincidental as far as the location of the stop. That's where he pulled into.
“People are blowing this out of proportion like no other. That's why we had to put a press release out,” Ortis told The Highlander. “I've had two individuals come up to me and ask me questions, “Hey, what about this ICE raid?”
Granite Shoals agency officials posted a statement on their social media page after receiving a number of inquiries about whether an “ICE raid” had occurred at the scene.
“A significant police presence was observed due to an ongoing investigation that led to charges related to narcotics and illegal weapons offenses,” according to the agency's social media statement.
“To our knowledge there has been no ICE activity in Granite Shoals today (Jan. 28),” the statement continued. “However it is it important to note that the police department may not always receive prior notification of operations conduced by federal state, or other local agencies in the area.”
Agency concerns included potential violent interactions with officers and residents.
“The grocery store predominantly serves the Hispanic community,” Ortis said. “What you're having is the Hispanics in Granite Shoals, in this Hill Country, are thinking that law enforcement – they automatically think – that we're ICE and we're here to take people out of their homes.
“That's not what we're about,” he added. “It puts a panic of fear in individuals who are afraid of potentially going to jail, of being deported. Their reaction is to run.”
During the Jan. 31 interview with The Highlander, Ortis confirmed that once the suspect was taken to the Burnet County Jail he was classified as an ICE detainee, a federal designation.
“We, as Granite Shoals PD, have a great relationship with our community. All of our officers are approachable,” he said. “Our number one goal is to keep our community free of drugs, free of illegal activity … to keep our community safe,.
“At the same time, the bad guys know, don't come through Granite Shoals, he added. “We will take you to jail and prosecute you to the fullest extent we can.
“Our mission and goals is to ensure we have safe communities for all of our citizens.”
According to jail records, as of Jan. 31, Alvarado-Gonzalez remained in the jail on a $50,000 surety bond for the drug charge and a $2,500 bond for the weapon charge.
The detainer specified Austin ICE as the federal agency in charge of the suspects potential deportation outcome.
