FEDS MOVE TO SEIZE BANDERA MANSION

BANDERA -- Federal prosecutors moved closer this month to seizing one of
Bandera County's most grandiose homes, an unfinished mansion authorities say
was built with drug money.

"It's humongous," said Mike Bolton, a Bandera County deputy, about the Casa
Grande Villa Ranch on FM 470 in Tarpley.

"It's got an indoor swimming pool, a theater room and domed ceilings," he
said Thursday. "When it's complete, it's going to be worth $8 (million) or
$9 million."

The property, now appraised at $1.96 million, is the target of a forfeiture
complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Houston.

"Defendant property was purchased and improved with illegal drug proceeds,"
the complaint states.

Nancy Herrera of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston said that on Feb. 3
the court forfeited any interest held by Luis Castro, a Houston cocaine
trafficker linked to the palatial residence in western Bandera County.

The government claims Castro, now in prison on a drug conviction, funded the
$300,000 ranch purchase in 1999 by Donato Alvarenga.

"Castro was present at the closing and described himself as Alvarenga's
adviser," the complaint states. "Castro had the existing residence bulldozed
and then began construction of ... a 17,000-square-foot main house,
2,000-square-foot guest house and several barns."

Alvarenga did not submit evidence of ownership of the 120-acre ranch by Feb.
14, the deadline set by the court, Herrera said.

The seller, Vincent Caldarola, was stunned to learn Thursday that his
1,800-square-foot home had been replaced by a mansion.

"What?" exclaimed the San Antonio physician. "I'd like to see if I can buy
it back for $300,000."

He said the buyer was referred to as a doctor from El Salvador. Attempts to
reach Alvarenga or his attorneys were not successful.

The forfeiture complaint was filed Nov. 4, three days after it says Castro
received an eight-year prison term in Harris County stemming from a July
2002 drug arrest.

Castro offered the arresting officer a $400,000 bribe, according to the
complaint. Castro declared an average income of less than $22,000 a year on
tax returns filed between 1995 and 2001, the complaint states.

About 30 federal agents, some in assault gear, raided the ranch on Nov. 7
with assistance from local officers.

Federal authorities declined to reveal what was sought or found in the raid.

"It would be inappropriate for me to comment on a case that is ongoing at
this time," Robert Paiz, agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency, said
Thursday.

"More than anything else, they were looking for documents," Bandera County
Chief Deputy Matt King said. "I asked them how it went and they said it
could have gone better."