April 23rd, 2010
Police arrest two in marijuana bust

Melvin Alexander Duran, left, and Joe Frank Corder, right.

STAFF REPORT

Local law enforcement arrested two men Wednesday after following a marijuana bust from the San Marcos Municipal Airport to Interstate-35.

Finding approximately 850 pounds of marijuana in 16 large duffel bags in the rear of a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban, police arrested the driver, Melvin Alexander Duran, 33, of Austin, and his juvenile passenger. Police later arrested Joe Frank Corder, 64, of Wimberley, the pilot of the airplane that flew the marijuana into San Marcos.

At about 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, the Hays County Narcotics Task Force, which is staffed with officers from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD), conducted an airport interdiction for drugs at the San Marcos airport. Bundles, believed to be illegal drugs, were observed being removed from an aircraft into a waiting vehicle. Police then followed the vehicle the San Marcos city limits.

HCSO deputies joined the task force in stopping the suspect vehicle on northbound I-35 at River Ridge Parkway. The drugs were found during the ensuing investigation.

Duran is charged with possession of marijuana (more than 50 but less than 2,000 pounds), a second degree felony. Duran’s bond was set at $60,000 and he remains in custody. The juvenile was taken into custody and placed in juvenile detention.

Corder was charged with delivery of marijuana, a first degree felony. Corder’s bond has been set at $80,000 and he, also, remains in custody.