LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - Laredo Police are asking for the community’s help identifying three individuals.

Authorities need help identifying the three women believed to be tied to an assault that happened at the 4400 block of South Highway 83 on Nov. 21, 2023.

If you have any information regarding the identity or the whereabouts of the individuals, you are asked to call Laredo Crime Stoppers at 956-727-TIPS or Laredo Police at 956-795-2800.

You can also submit a tip via the crime stoppers p3 app under “Subject id”.

Please reference #23-1192 when submitting your tips.

You could be eligible for a cash reward for any information that could lead to an arrest.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - Last year, the City of Laredo saw a record-breaking number of drug overdose related deaths with the death toll hitting 65.

It’s only been nine days into the new year and already Laredo Police have reported a total of four drug overdose cases.

On Monday afternoon, Laredo Police were called out to the 800 block of Cortez Street where they found three people dead inside a home; all of which were believed to be overdose related.

The victims were identified as Elizabeth Briones, age 43, margarita Hernandez, age 52, and Jose Carmen Beltran, age 44.

According to Investigator Joe Baeza, when officers arrived at the scene, they found a seven-year-old girl present at a home which reportedly belonged to Briones.

Now, this wasn’t the only overdose discovery made on Monday.

Authorities also received a call about a separate incident that night in south Laredo.

“She was not harmed as a result in this case, and she was released to the custody of family members last night,” said Baeza. “In total last night we had an additional death that it was discovered in Bismark, and that case was categorized as an overdose death, in total we have four overdose deaths to start in 2024.”

KGNS also reached out to City of Laredo officials on the latest deaths and the ongoing drug crisis.

District Four Councilmember Alberto Torres said there are plans to assess the situation.

“Our number one approach is opening our doors to the detox center we had some delays on the opening because of personnel issues, but I’m optimistic that we will be opening very soon,” said Torres. “Whereas we are establishing something similar to the suicide hotline which would be a hotline that will allow people to call in to have an addiction and if they need help.”

Also in a statement, the City of Laredo Mayor Dr. Trevino stated that with the fourth drug-related death being reported, we are off to a terrible start when it comes to this public health crisis.

He adds that he will be pushing for more resources.

Local law enforcement including Laredo Police Investigators are now searching for leads in the drug distribution involving both cases.

If you would like to report any suspicious activity around your neighborhood you can call police at 956-795-2800.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A Laredo dealer is set to appear in court for his alleged involvement in a fentanyl-related death.

Kevin Ramirez, a 31-year-old resident, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing the dangerous substance that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old in May.

Ramirez is scheduled for his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge following his arrest on January 5.

The charges include distributing fentanyl leading to the death of another individual, as well as possession with the intent to distribute.

If convicted, Ramirez faces severe penalties, including a minimum of 20 years to life in federal prison

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - U.S. Border Patrol Agents out of Hebbronville helped Webb County constables arrest an alleged gang member.

Reynaldo Reyes-Alejandro was arrested after a background check showed he was an active member of the Mexican mafia gang.

According to agents, Reyes-Alejandro also has a criminal history that includes producing and distributing controlled substances.

He’ll be processed for felony charges connected to entering the country illegally.

LAREDO, Tx (KGNS) - A woman is shot twice while driving in south Laredo with two kids in the vehicle.

The 26-year-old women arrived at an emergency room clinic on Jaime Zapata Boulevard with two gunshot wounds to the arm.

She told staff at the ER that she had been shot as she drove a black Chevy Silverado on Ejido and Pine in south Laredo.

The two children in the vehicle, ages 5 and 9 were not injured.

According to the Laredo Police Department, they found casing at the location the woman had provided investigators.

The victim is now in stable condition.

The investigation is ongoing.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - Several Laredo organizations helped put a stop to a human smuggling and money laundering case.

Known as the operation leader, Erminia Serrano Piedra pleaded guilty for her role in illegally transporting hundreds of foreign nationals within the United States.

Piedra also pled guilty to laundering proceeds from that smuggling activity.

HSI Laredo and the Border Patrol Laredo Sector, along with several other law enforcement agencies, took part in the investigation.

Piedra is scheduled to be sentenced in April and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Ten others have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in this scheme and await sentencing as well.

You can find the full press release here.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - An off-duty Border Patrol agent is charged in an ongoing sexual assault investigation.

The Laredo Police Department has served a sexual assault warrant to Edgar Fidel Garcia, 36.It’s all stemming from a case in June of last year. Given the sensitivity of the case, details are currently limited.

In a statement, Garcia’s attorney said his client denies the allegations brought against him and has cooperated with law enforcement since the start of the investigation.

Full statement form Garcia’s attorney:

“Mr. Garcia unequivocally denies the allegations brought against him and has consistently cooperated with law enforcement authorities since the commencement of the investigation. We emphasize that our client was never afforded the opportunity to present his side of the story. Guzman Law Firm is committed to ensuring that Mr. Garcia is afforded all the rights to which he is entitled under the law and that he is treated fairly throughout the judicial process. We remain confident that, as the facts come to light, Mr. Garcia will be vindicated of these allegations.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection release a statement on the arrest:

On Jan.4, a CBP employee turned himself in to Laredo Police Department . The case is under investigation by Laredo Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. CBP stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission, and the overwhelming majority of CBP officers and agents perform their duties with honor and distinction, working tirelessly every day to keep our country safe. We do not tolerate abuse within our ranks, and we fully cooperate with any criminal or administrative investigation of alleged misconduct by any of our personnel, on or off duty. An arrest is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.