LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - The colors of red, white, and green will soon be taking over downtown Laredo.

In light of Dieciséis de Septiembre, which is Mexican Independence Day, the Mexican Consulate is gearing up to host its an annual celebration.

On Friday morning, the consulate held a press conference to announce the event that will be filled with food vendors, live music, and even mariachi.

“The consul is going to give the traditional Grito de Independencia at 8 o’ clock at 6 p.m. and everyone is welcome, it’s free,” said Ximena Morales.

The event is set to happen at El portal, inside the Outlet Shoppes at Laredo on Friday, Sept. 15.

The event will kick off at 6 p.m.

It’s free and open to the public.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A jury has found two Mexican citizens guilty of attempting to smuggle over 900 pounds of liquid methamphetamine into the United States. The case, which dates back to 2022, saw 34-year-old Fidel Saldana and 35-year-old Noe Jesus Martinez attempting to enter the U.S. via the Colombia Solidarity Bridge on a trailer.

After their initial inspection at the international bridge, authorities directed Saldana and Martinez to undergo a secondary inspection. It was during this secondary assessment that federal officers uncovered a concealed compartment within the diesel tanks of the trailer. This compartment was found to be housing a significant quantity of liquid substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Federal agents proceeded to extract the liquid, filling 22 buckets with the illegal substance. Despite claims from Martinez and Saldana that they were unaware of the drugs being concealed in their trailer, the jury ultimately rejected their defense. Both men were found guilty of the charges leveled against them.

With the verdict now delivered, Martinez and Saldana are set to remain in custody as they await a sentencing hearing.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - The trial is underway for the man accused of causing the death of another a day before Thanksgiving 2019.

The victim was 58-year-old Ignacio Davila Calvillo.

According to preliminary reports, officers were called out for an accident at the 1900 block of Guadalupe Street.

At the scene they found two vehicles, a Dodge Durango flipped over, and a Toyota Scion crashed into a light pole.

Police reports indicate the driver of the Durango was involved in a previous hit and run before hitting the car driven by Calvillo.

The driver of the Durango was identified as Jonathan Santos.

In 2019 he was charged with accident involving death.

He was released on bond.

The charge then changed to Manslaughter and Santos was caught nearly a year by the sheriff’s office with drugs.

The trial continues in the 406th District Court.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - Authorities need your help locating a man wanted for allegedly stealing a vehicle in south Laredo.

Laredo Police need your help locating Jason Alexander Castellanos, 18 who has an arrest warrant for theft of a motor vehicle.

The case was reported on Aug 18, 2023 by a woman who stated that her 2018 Grey Cadillac ATS was stolen from the 4700 block of Luka by a person known to her who was identified as Castellanos.

According to the victim, she was staying at a friend’s house along with Castellanos and noticed that her keys were missing.

When she noticed that her vehicle and Castellanos were missing, she attempted to contact him multiple times, but he did not answer.

The case was turned over to the Auto Theft Task Force who presented it to the District Attorney’s Office and approved an arrest warrant for Castellanos.

If you have any information on Castellanos’ whereabouts, you are asked to call Laredo Crime Stoppers at 956-727-TIPS or 956-795-2800.

All calls will remain anonymous.

WEBB COUNTY, TX. (KGNS) - The driver of a tractor trailer is facing multiple charges after sending authorities on a chase on I-35 Tuesday afternoon.

The Webb County Sheriff’s Office arrested Julio Hiram Garza and charged him with human smuggling as well as evading arrest.

The arrest happened on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at around 5:30 p.m. when sheriff’s deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white tractor trailer with expired license plates at the 32-mile marker of I-35.

When the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Garza allegedly sped up, drove towards a gas station and then went back on I-35 driving southbound.

Law enforcement attempted to set up spikes to deflate the tires; however, Garza drove around the spikes.

Eventually, Garza drove into the median near mile marker 13 and several people got out and ran into the brush.

According to the sheriff’s office, a total of 19 people including two female juveniles exited the trailer and were all taken into Border Patrol custody.

Garza, a Laredo Citizen was arrested and charged with two counts of smuggling of persons under the age of 18 and 17, and evading arrest.