SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Six members of the Texas Mexican Mafia gang, including its statewide leader in the free world, were arrested Thursday in San Antonio, authorities said.
Federal and local authorities had previously arrested four other members of the gang, bringing the total in custody to 10.
Nine of the gang members, including Robert "Lil Bit" Carreno Jr., 45, a purported general, are charged with conspiracy to distribute more than a kilo of heroin, the San Antonio Express-News reported Thursday.
The 10th gang member, Teresa "Tia" Alonzo, 63, a daughter-in-law of the gang's imprisoned vice president Benito Alonzo, faces lesser charges.
"We believe Teresa Alonzo ... was (Benito Alonzo's) contact in the free world to Mr. Carreno," said Assistant U.S. Attorney David Shearer. He told U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Mathy that Teresa attempted, but failed, to smuggle heroin to Benito in prison and also accepted thousands of dollars in repayment for drugs on Benito's behalf.
Teresa faces as much as 20 years in prison, while the other gang members face 10 years to life if found guilty.
