South Texas officer accused of stealing drugs from home

MCALLEN, TX -- A South Texas officer is accused of stealing cocaine from a home in 2012 and then trying to cover up the theft by claiming he found the drugs in a car that he seized.

Mission officer Hector Mendez is a 17-year veteran of the police department who was assigned to a drug enforcement task force.

The Monitor reports that he faces a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Mendez's defense attorney says his client denies the allegations.

The suspected drug seizure occurred months after Mendez lost a primary for Hidalgo County Precinct 2 constable in April 2012.

A criminal complaint unsealed Monday says Mendez was questioned earlier this month when agents said he made several inconsistent statements about the cocaine seizure.