ZAPATA FIRE CHIEF ARRESTED

Zapata County lost its fire chief Wednesday night after he was arrested
allegedly driving the "scout vehicle" in a smuggling operation that
involved more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana.

Fernando Gonzalez, 48, was booked at the Zapata Regional Jail and released
Thursday morning after posting an unsecured bail bond.

Zapata County Task Force Supervisor Robert Loza said the multi-agency
investigation was working the area of Los Lobos Road where the arrest took
place.

"He was driving opposite the vehicle with the load and was taken into
custody by other officers," Loza said.

Total weight of the marijuana was placed at 1,121 pounds with a street
value of more than $500,000.

Gonzalez has served with the Zapata County Fire Department for 18 years.

Firefighters at the fire station Thursday night did not know the status of
Gonzalez's employment as fire chief with the county.

The narcotics investigation was headed by the Laredo Multi-agency Narcotic
Task Force that includes the Laredo Police Department, U.S. Customs, the
Zapata County Sheriff and County Attorney's Office and other area law
enforcement agencies.