FBI affidavit claims drugs were found in van after Houston ICE shooting
The FBI submitted a warrant alleging that a white cargo van involved in the fatal shooting of a 52-year-old man by an ICE agent contained bags of a substance identified as methamphetamine.
A federal affidavit filed by the FBI on Tuesday asserts that agents observed small plastic bags containing a white, crystal-like substance in the cargo van driven by Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot by an ICE officer in Houston last week. The affidavit, authored by Special Agent David McNielly, states the packaging and appearance of the material are consistent with methamphetamine, and cites probable cause for distribution, manufacturing, or possession with intent to distribute, as well as simple possession.
The affidavit was initially sealed but later unsealed, making it publicly available while the investigation remains active. Law enforcement officials said the vehicle had not been searched before the warrant was filed, and FBI agents conducted a search of the van on Wednesday morning, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
The Department of Homeland Security has not indicated that ICE agents were aware of any drugs in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. The medical examiner ruled that Salgado Araujo died from a gunshot wound to the torso, and toxicology results have not been released.
Three passengers in the van, including Salgado Araujo’s brother Victor Salgado, have been detained since the incident and hold U-Visa certifications that protect them from immediate deportation. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office confirmed it did not file or execute the warrant but accessed the van with FBI permission.
"The packaging and appearance of the controlled substance in the target vehicle is consistent with methamphetamine," the warrant states.
The ACLU of Texas and a Latino political group have criticized the investigation, suggesting potential bias, but no official comment has been received from the Department of Justice.