Published: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 / Updated: Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009 05:47 PM
Plaza Fiesta reacts to drug arrests in its parking lot
Justin Segal, asset manager for the Plaza Fiesta Mall, responded via e-mail Wednesday to recent news reports of a drug arrest that that took place last week in the parking lot of the mall in northern Fort Mill.
Three men were charged with trafficking around $200,000 worth of cocaine in the parking lot of Plaza Fiesta last week, police say.
Segal said in his e-mail to the Fort Mill Times that, “Plaza Fiesta is a safe, family-friendly facility. We condemn all forms of illegal drug activity, especially drug trafficking. Furthermore, we express our gratitude to the vigilance of the law enforcement personnel involved.”
“It is unfortunate that those involved chose our parking lot in which to conspire, and that they were arrested there. They were under surveillance and their unlawful activities apparently took place elsewhere.
"We employ a fully licensed security firm to protect our customers, tenants and employees, and they regularly patrol both interior and exterior of the property. We have directed them to be especially observant to detect and report any activity that appears to be illegal. We intend to continue a proactive cooperation with any law enforcement effort in the fight against illegal drugs.”
Jesus Aguirre Romero, 29, of 7021 Dawn Ct., Fort Mill, Fernando Almazon Botello, 27, of Charlotte; and Jorge Hernandez-Nunez, 26, of 4917 Smoke Hollow Road in Charlotte were arrested in the parking lot of Plaza Fiesta Friday after an investigation by the York County Multijurisdictional Task Force.
The suspects conspired to traffic two kilograms of cocaine, according to a report from the York County Sheriff's Office.
Officers found Botello, Romero and Hernandez-Nunez in possession of 2,000 grams of cocaine which has a street value of around $200,000 said task force commander Marvin Brown.
Officers went to Romero's Fort Mill home, where they found Hernandez-Nunez in possession of approximately 1.2 grams of cocaine, the report said. Drug agents seized three cars and two guns from the men.
Botello and Romero were charged with trafficking cocaine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, according to the report.
Hernandez-Nunez was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (second offense), possession of a firearm during commission of a violent crime and possession of a firearm with serial number removed. Hernandez-Nunez has a prior drug conviction, the report says.
Bond for all three has been denied, and all three remain in custody Thursday.
The Herald contributed to this report
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