Two men facing meth charges after surveillance, foot chase in east Amarillo

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Two men are facing federal charges of methamphetamine distribution after their arrest in east Amarillo.

According to court documents, undercover officers with Amarillo Police Department gathered information about drugs being sold out of an apartment near SE 25th Avenue and South Grand Street.

On Oct. 14, the officers conducted surveillance on the apartment complex and followed a gold Honda Accord as it left the unit.

The Honda had not activated its rear lights and officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Daniel Joseph Wright, did not stop right away and continued to evade police.

Wright stopped the car on Willow Street and both he and the passenger, identified as Michael Eric Garcia, fled on foot.

An officer saw Garcia walking away from the car and throwing a backpack over a fence.

Deputies with Randall County Sheriff’s Office took Garcia into custody.

When the bag was retrieved, officers found 18 grams of methamphetamine inside along with a .40 caliber pistol.

Law enforcement used a K9 unit to apprehend Wright.

A backpack with 123 grams of methamphetamine and a Glock were found inside Wright’s backpack.

In an interview following the pair’s arrest, Wright admitted that he and Garcia bought the drugs from their source of supply in order to distribute them.

He also told law enforcement that he carried the firearm “due to fear of being robbed” while selling methamphetamine.

Garcia also admitted to similar activities in a separate custodial interview after his arrest.

On Oct. 20, the two men were booked into Randall County Jail on federal holds.