Federal authorities claim that several bags believed to contain crystal methamphetamine were found in the vehicle of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-year-old Mexican national who was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Houston on July 7. The allegations were made in a federal search warrant affidavit released on July 14.
Investigators allege that three small plastic bags containing a "white crystal-like substance" were discovered in the middle of the dash between the driver and passenger sides of Araujo's van. The substance was reportedly consistent with methamphetamine. The affidavit indicated that FBI investigators sought authorization to search Araujo's van for evidence of drug offenses, including possession with intent to distribute and simple possession.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Araujo was killed during a traffic stop around 7 a.m. when he allegedly attempted to evade arrest. Authorities claim he accelerated over a median and attempted to run over an agent, whom they described as "weaponizing" his vehicle. The Harris County District Attorney's Office is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism and led to protests. The shooting occurred shortly before another fatal encounter involving an ICE agent in Maine on July 15, in which Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old migrant from Colombia, was killed. ICE stated that Guerrero was shot after he attempted to flee the scene of a traffic stop. The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security is investigating this incident. Mentioned images:
