MIDLAND, Texas — A tip from a confidential informant led to the arrest of 19-year-old Anthony Aleman on drug dealing charges near an elementary school.
Officers with the Midland/Odessa Violent Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant on August 12 at the Palladium Apartments, located roughly 788 feet from Travis Elementary School, where Aleman was suspected of distributing narcotics.
Aleman was initially detained while driving a black Chevrolet pickup on East Interstate 20, a vehicle reportedly used to transport cocaine and Xanax. Investigators seized his phone as part of the evidence.
At the apartment, where Aleman’s younger brothers were present, officers found more than 50 grams of cocaine, 26 grams of Xanax, 36 grams of THC vape cartridges, additional prescription drugs, two firearms, drug paraphernalia, and over $17,000 in cash. Investigators confirmed approximately $100 of the cash as buy money.
Aleman admitted to owning the drugs and weapons, revealing he had been selling narcotics for about six months. He stated that he purchased an AR-15 rifle on the street for $800 and recently traded five grams of cocaine for a handgun.
He was booked into the Midland County Detention Center on a $25,000 bond, with further charges expected.
