A search warrant for the van driven by Lorenzo Salgado Araujo when he was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Houston alleges that there were illegal drugs in the vehicle. The warrant, which was unsealed, cites probable cause for distribution, manufacturing, or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and simple possession of a controlled substance.

Details of the Search Warrant

The warrant affidavit, authored by FBI Special Agent David McNielly, describes observing small plastic bags with a white crystal-like substance in the van. The packaging and appearance of the substance are consistent with methamphetamine. However, it does not explicitly state who the bags are believed to belong to.

The Department of Homeland Security has not indicated that the ICE agents who stopped Salgado Araujo had any knowledge of drugs possibly being inside the vehicle at the time of the fatal shooting. The medical examiner ruled that Salgado Araujo’s death was caused by a gunshot to the torso, and officials have not released toxicology information describing any substances in his system at the time of death.

Reaction to the Search Warrant

The president of the LULAC Adelante PAC accused federal investigators of trying to change the public discourse and prejudice a jury in Harris County. The ACLU of Texas, which is working closely with Salgado Araujo’s family, said that the Trump administration lacks credibility to investigate itself and that claims should be viewed with skepticism until a full independent investigation is complete.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.