LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - As the year draws to a close, the city of Laredo has experienced a troubling spike in overdose deaths, with the toll reaching a staggering 64 lives lost.

The most recent incidents happened on December 13th, claiming the life of a 35-year-old man, and on December 17th, a 29-year-old woman succumbed to the same fate. Both cases are currently pending toxicology reports.

This surge in overdose deaths is part of a year-long struggle for Laredo, with an alarming 650% increase in such fatalities over the last five years. The majority of these incidents are directly linked to opioids, including heroin and synthetic fentanyl. While many cases are still under review, there is a notable rise in the use of fentanyl, a potent and often lethal synthetic opioid.

Laredo Health is actively urging residents to seek help in the face of this crisis, emphasizing the upcoming ROOTS Recovery Center, a detox facility located at 1300 Chicago Street, as a valuable resource for those battling substance abuse.

Dr. Richard Chamberlain, Director of the Laredo Health Department, spoke on the importance of seeking support during the holiday season, stating, “As we’re coming into the holiday season where there is holiday anxieties, the holiday blues, persons need to know there are many, many different outlets for them to be able to communicate with, to seek support, to seek treatment, and to ensure that they’re not turning to illegal drugs or the use of narcotics to cure themselves. It’s not a cure. What’s curing yourself is getting that support, it’s talking to those individuals and making sure you’re walking down a path that’ll ensure your health and safety going forward.”

In response to the escalating crisis, the city of Laredo has taken proactive measures by setting up NARCAN cabinets across various locations. NARCAN is a medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose emergency, providing a crucial lifeline in critical situations.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - An elderly man is airlifted to a San Antonio hospital after a hit and run leaves him in serious condition.

According to Laredo Police, a man was attempting to cross the street at the corner of San Bernardo and Jefferson Street at around 10 p.m. on Monday night.

That’s when the man was reportedly hit by a car, and the driver fled the scene—leaving the victim with extensive injuries.

Authorites say that the car stopped momentarily, which, they say, could indicate that the driver was aware they hit someone or something.

However, Laredo Police warn that while they understand the reaction, they advise it is easier to come forward.

Inv. Joe Baeza says, “We’ve seen these types of incidents in the past before when people are kind of are in state of shock or disbelief and they have this fleeing-mentality-from-the-location type of thing, but it really shouldn’t be done that way. That creates other issues and problems for us. If they’re watching, we’re asking them to come forward so we can get their side of story for the investigation and we’ll go from there.”

The Laredo Police Department says the victim is still classified as a ‘John Doe’, which means he has not been identified yet.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - A routine stop for a traffic violation results in the discovery of 14 pounds of drugs.

The seizure happened on Wednesday Dec. 13 just after midnight when the DPS Criminal Investigations Division with the assistance of a highway patrol trooper pulled over a red 2015 Chevrolet Camaro that was traveling on I-35 near mile marker 3.

During a search of the vehicle, authorities discovered six plastic wrapped bundles containing heroin inside the vehicle.

The drugs weighed 14.70 pounds.

The driver, 26-year-old Astrid Aracely Briones and 24-year-old Raul Aron Briones-Garcia both of El Paso, Texas were arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.

DPS CID is investigating the case.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - Federal agents find drugs and counterfeit money during a routine search at a local checkpoint.

Earlier this week, agents at the west Border Patrol station foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs and money after a canine alerted to the presence of drugs.

During their search, agents found narcotics and $18,000 worth of currency.

After further investigation, agents determined $12,000 was counterfeit.

The cash and drugs were ultimately seized.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - As the Christmas countdown gets closer and closer to Christmas Day, thousands of paisanos headed south to spend the holiday with family and Friends Mexico.

Early Tuesday morning, we caught the caravans hitting the highway.

According to city offiicals, approximately 2,800 vehicles left the Sames Auto Arena at 3:30 a.m. as part of Operation Paisano.

It was still dark out when the thousands of vehicles—and their trailers of belongings—hit Loop 20 to continue on to their final destinations in Mexico.

The Laredo Police Department was out directing traffic at each of the intersections.

Along with the Loop, traffic is also expected to remain congested along I-35.

Officials are asking everyone to remain patient as paisanos traveling through Laredo contribute to our economy.

Below are numbers from the City of Laredo that show the number of pedestrians and non-commercial traffic from this December and last.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - An elderly man is rushed to the hospital after he was allegedly hit by a vehicle in west Laredo.

The hit and run was reported by Laredo Police on Monday at around 10 p.m. near the corner of San Bernardo and Jefferson Street.

According to reports, the victim was hit and the driver involved allegedly fled the scene.

The police department’s crash team was called out.

No word on the identity of the victim or the description of the car that hit him.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - A man is facing charges in connection with a car chase that resulted in a car crash that sent four people to the hospital.

According DPS, Jose Conteras, 40, was charged with evading arrest, as well as six other charges following Sunday’s incident.

According to reports, Contreras was driving a truck at around 2:30 p.m. near the intersection of Loop 20 and Saunders.

A trooper was attempting to pull him over but refused and sent authorities on a chase through Clark and Bartlett Avenue.

Contreras reportedly lost control of the truck, disregarded a red light, and caused a crash with two other vehicles.

Sergeant Erick Estrada with DPS said a third vehicle with a distracted driver behind the wheel was involved in a secondary crash.

“What was unique about this particular case is that this vehicle was actually a company vehicle and he did not have permission from the company to be driving it, especially in that matter,” said Estrada. “So there were charges that were placed from the company so that is why you see that charge of unauthorized use of motor vehicle on the list of the charges.”

A total of four people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Contreras was cleared from the hospital and booked into the Webb County Jail.