FBI agent saw salt, not drugs, in van of man killed by ICE in Houston, family attorney says
The substance found in the van of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, fatally shot by ICE in Houston, was salt, not drugs, says his family attorney.
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In a development surrounding the controversial death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was fatally shot by ICE agents during a traffic stop in Houston last week, the substance found in his van was reportedly salt, not illegal drugs, according to the family’s attorney. The FBI had obtained a search warrant citing discovery of small bags with a white crystal-like substance, initially suspected to be narcotics. However, the family insists the substance was simply granulated salt used as an electrolyte mix by outdoor workers in intense Texas heat.
FBI Search Warrant and Substance Discovery
The FBI’s search warrant application, filed Tuesday and signed by a judge, described several small plastic bags containing a white crystal-like substance visible inside Salgado Araujo’s van. An FBI agent outside the vehicle noted these bags and suspected the substance could be methamphetamine or a similar drug, based on packaging and appearance consistent with controlled substances typically distributed in this manner.
Photos attached to the warrant showed these bags scattered among construction tools and materials inside the van. The FBI’s Evidence Response Team took photographs from outside the vehicle to document the scene. However, the agency has not yet publicly disclosed whether the substance tested positive for narcotics.
Family Attorney Refutes Drug Claims
Ruby L. Powers, attorney for Salgado Araujo’s brother who remains in ICE custody, stated on Thursday that the substance was in fact granulated salt. She explained that outdoor workers often mix salt with lemon and water to create a homemade electrolyte solution to combat dehydration and heat exhaustion, common in Texas construction environments.
“Our understanding is that this was granulated salt, which is paired with lemon and water as a homemade electrolyte mix used by outdoor workers in extreme Texas heat, not methamphetamine or any other illicit substance,” Powers said. She emphasized that a search warrant does not prove guilt and that the substance remains unconfirmed as a narcotic until tested.
Powers has requested immediate testing of the substance to clear the family’s name and urged for the release of Salgado Araujo’s brother from ICE custody, arguing the family has been unfairly targeted amid ongoing investigations.
Official Statements and Legal Reactions
U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz for the Southern District of Texas confirmed that officers observed “several small bags of a white, crystal-like substance” in plain view during the traffic stop and that the FBI executed the search warrant in connection with possible narcotics trafficking charges. However, Reitz did not provide further details on the test results or whether charges would be filed.
Meanwhile, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare expressed skepticism about the presence of drugs in the van. He described the FBI’s unsealing of the search warrant as unusual, noting it is rare for such documents to be released before a grand jury hearing. Teare said based on what he has learned about the passengers, the claim of drugs being present is inconsistent, and he called for transparency regarding testing outcomes.
Context of the Fatal Shooting and Ongoing Investigation
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a father of three, was traveling in the van with three others en route to a construction site in Houston when ICE agents stopped the vehicle. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Salgado Araujo was not the intended target of the operation but was shot by agents after allegedly attempting to run over them. DHS has not provided evidence supporting the claim that Salgado Araujo or others in the van had any criminal or drug-related history.
The FBI was called to the scene to investigate a potential assault on federal officers. The shooting has sparked criticism from local officials and advocacy groups who question the officers’ use of deadly force and call for a thorough, transparent investigation into the circumstances.
As the investigation unfolds, the family and their legal representatives continue to demand clarity on the nature of the substance found and justice for Salgado Araujo. Testing results could play a crucial role in addressing public concerns about the case and the allegations tied to the fatal encounter in Houston.
