By the Associated Press
PHARR, Texas (AP) - Police say 59 pounds of marijuana disappeared from a police evidence room
and may have been inadvertently burned, forcing prosecutors to drop charges against three Houston
men.
Defendants Josue Macias, 24; Jerry Sanchez, 21; and Abel Vela, 22, were awaiting trial on
possession charges when Vela's attorney asked to have the marijuana brought into the courtroom.
Police were unable to find the marijuana. Asst. Chief Ruben Villescas told The McAllen Monitor in
Monday's editions that an internal investigation pointed to an accidental burning of the drug.
Local police join federal agents several times annually to burn narcotic evidence in completed cases.
Since January, Pharr has had three burns and destroyed 3.5 tons of marijuana.
Jimmy Leo, assistant district attorney for the case, said he could not try the case without the
evidence.
