Zapata officials face bribe charges

"LAREDO — Three Zapata County officials were arraigned in federal court Wednesday, charged with taking bribes from drug traffickers in exchange for protecting loads of marijuana that were hauled through their area.

FBI agents Tuesday arrested Justice of the Peace Manuel 'Meme' Martinez, 43; county attorney's office investigator Jose Amaro, 40; and county code enforcement worker Ruben Elizondo, 37.

Martinez was a Zapata County sheriff's deputy when ....... "