2 Ex-Deputies Charged in South Texas Drug Run

Two former South Texas sheriff's deputies have been indicted on federal conspiracy charges arising from an undercover federal bust of a drug trafficking operation.

A Justice Department statement Tuesday says Ruben Silva and Victor Carrillo were Duval County deputies at the time of an undercover bust last month's bust. Sheriff Romeo Ramirez fired them earlier this month, saying federal and state agents presented him with evidence of wrongdoing.

The indictment alleges Silva and Carrillo arranged to use a sheriff's office patrol car to smuggle more than 20 pounds of cocaine north from Mission, Texas, on the border with Mexico.

Silva is jailed with bond set at $100,000. His attorney, Douglas Daniel of San Antonio, didn't return a message seeking comment Tuesday. A warrant has been issued for Carrillo's arrest.