Fugitive jailed after traffic stop, drug arrests

A Cotulla fugitive has been remanded into custody on a drug possession charge and on felony warrants out of Frio and Medina counties after being found traveling in a car containing a bag of crystal methamphetamine.

Christian Oliver Alaniz, 50, was identified as a passenger in a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle subject to a routine traffic stop shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, by La Salle County Investigator Adrian Ruiz near the intersection of Main Street and Hwy 97 in downtown Cotulla.

A report on the case indicates the vehicle was being driven by Stevan Price Saunders, 41, of Cotulla.

Alaniz was accompanied as a passenger by Virginia Delgado, 32, of Cotulla, when the sheriff’s investigator intercepted the vehicle.

Warrants for Alaniz’ arrest included those for failure to appear in court on a third-degree felony drug possession charge in Frio County, felony drug possession in Medina County, and a rake of traffic-related offenses and a charge for failure to appear in court filed by a La Salle County justice of the peace.

Officer Ruiz had been working supplemental duty as part of Operation Lone Star on Wednesday night when he carried out the traffic stop.

The report indicates the investigator had cause to examine the vehicle after determining that it contained a wanted fugitive and that his search revealed a bag of methamphetamine that had been lying on the floorboards of the Tahoe.

The report shows that none of the three vehicle occupants claimed ownership of the narcotics and that each claimed to have no knowledge of the methamphetamine. Each vehicle occupant was subsequently charged with third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1/1b.

Alaniz remained behind bars at the La Salle County Jail on Monday; Saunders and Delgado were released on bond Thursday, June 22.