Edcouch politician’s brother pleads guilty in drug case

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A local politician’s brother pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges on Friday.

Ruben Aris Flores Jr., 49, of Edcouch confessed to participating in a conspiracy that involved more than 70 pounds of cocaine.

“Guilty,” Flores said on Friday morning, when he appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane.

Ruben’s brother, former Edcouch Mayor Pro-Tem Rene Flores, was charged with bribery in September.

Attorney Sergio J. Sanchez of McAllen, who represents Ruben Flores, told CBS 4 News the cases are completely unrelated.

Ruben Aris Flores Jr. (Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.)

A regional anti-drug task force arrested Flores in January 2023.

Officers watched a Kenworth T660 commercial truck pick up a load of produce in Mission on Jan. 26, 2023, according to an affidavit filed in a civil forfeiture case.

After picking up the produce, Flores headed east on Interstate 2.

Officers arranged for a sheriff’s deputy to conduct a traffic stop in Weslaco. During the traffic stop, the deputy’s K-9 smelled drugs.

Flores said the K-9 probably “alerted because the mechanic shop he has his tractor in, the employees smoke marijuana,” according to the affidavit. Flores said they “weren’t going to find anything” and left.

Officers transported the Kenworth T660 to a building owned by Weslaco Public Works.

The cabin “was full of miscellaneous items and was completely packed in the sleeper area,” according to the affidavit. After unloading the junk, officers discovered a secret compartment hidden in a wall on the driver’s side.

Someone grabbed a drill and punctured the secret compartment.

“Investigators were able to see a white powdery substance on the tip of the drill bit,” according to the affidavit.

They pulled 30 packages of cocaine, which weighed about 78 pounds, from the secret compartment, according to the affidavit.

Officers arrested Flores less than 24 hours later.

In February 2023, federal agents questioned Flores about the drugs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Salazar summarized the conversation on Friday morning, when Flores pleaded guilty.

Flores told agents that someone promised to pay him $800 per kilogram — about $28,000 — to transport the drugs to Houston, Salazar said.

The court docket doesn’t list a sentencing date for Flores, who faces 10 years to life in federal prison.