Main Office: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico, DTO Allegedly Imported Large Quantities of Heroin, Methamphetamine and Cocaine from Mexico, which were Distributed in New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Kentucky and Illinois, Federal Domestic Violence Statutes and Elements for Prosecution, Twenty-Eight Alleged Members of Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Charged with Federal Drug Trafficking and International Money Laundering Offenses, Today law enforcement in New Mexico and West Texas has dealt a severe blow to a drug trafficking organization with ties to a Mexican drug cartel, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Glaspy. District of New Mexico $54 million drug bust tied to Mexican cartel uncovered in FL, GA - WTSP DEA will continue to disrupt and dismantle these DTOs to break the wave of fentanyl flooding and endangering our communities.. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - An Arizona man is facing charges in New Mexico after authorities found a cache of illicit drugs that included thousands of fentanyl pills while serving a search warrant. Additionally, defendant Edvardo Carlson is alleged to have conducted drug transactions at Ryan Rodriguezs direction. Prescription Drug Overdose in New Mexico (2021-Q4) [+] - Prescription Drug Overdose in New Mexico (2021-Q3) [+] - Prescription Drug . The initiative known as "Plan Colombia" focusedon the eradication of coca, strengthening Colombia's security apparatus and solving aninternal conflict where more than 200,000 peopledied. But the Albuquerque FBI office says investigations are ongoing and they expect more arrests to come. In addition to the drugs, authorities recovered several guns from the suspected stash house in San Jose, according to prosecutors. His battles with the church arent over, How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? The maximum penalty on conviction is up to 20 years in prison. The drugs were concealed in a vehicle driven by 23-year-old U.S. citizen traveling from Mexico. Through the cooperation of numerous law enforcement organizations we have removed criminals from our communities who have been involved in smuggling, transporting, and distributing drugs., The responsibility of protecting our borders and keeping our communities safe is a task to which we are committed. The charges filed and drugs seized as the result of this investigation demonstrate the success of the collaborative efforts of our federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies to root out drug traffickers operating in New Mexico and throughout the country. The searches turned up a variety of drugs including meth, cocaine, heroin, marijuana and prescription medication. Ibarra has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive. These cases are great examples of how local, county, state and federal agencies are working with State District Attorneys and the U.S. Attorney to prosecute those responsible for their crimes. New Mexico bust nets fentanyl, other illicit drugs A 2021 study by the Center for U.S.-Mexico . A lock ( Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPEs principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico. When law enforcement agencies combine resources and assets, we are able to bring illegal narcotic traffickers to justice, said Chief Pete Kassetas of the New Mexico State Police. And so they get caught up with somebody that knows somebody from a Mexican organization, and they offer the money to get involved into this type of activity.". ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - New Mexico State Police are doing anything they can to track down drug dealers and social media is becoming a big tool. A lock ( Major Bay Area drug bust: Feds seize 650 pounds, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), H-1B: Feds want criminal charges over application fraud for Silicon Valleys favorite visa, Major Bay Area drug bust: Feds seize 650 pounds of meth, four indicted on distribution charges, El Chapo sons charged with pushing cheap fentanyl into US, California legislative effort to curtail trafficking fentanyl through social media stalls, Brittney Griner says shell only play overseas again if its the Olympics, Why California bills to crack down on fentanyl dealers have been doomed in the state Legislature, San Jose police bust 7 underground casinos, yielding guns, drugs, nearly $300,000 in cash. U.S. authorities have not yet said what the estimated street value is of the 6,266 packages of meth and fentanyl discovered Thursday. Counts 4, 6, 8, and 10 charge certain defendants with distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base. The multi-agency investigation revealed that the DTO allegedly imported large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States; distributed the drugs in several states; and transported drug proceeds back to Mexico. In the September 1 bust, the FBI partnered with local police and other federal agents to seize the large quantity of fentanyl. Customs and Border Protection figures show the agency seized nearly 92,000 poundsof drugs from vehicles at southern ports of entry between October 2020 and May. The statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than ten years or more than life and a $10 million fine. District of New Mexico | Twenty-Eight Alleged Members of Mexican Drug Reyes was arrested this morning in Arlington, Tex. Manuel German Ibarra, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 2, 22 and 31 of the indictment. In the first four months of the 2021 fiscal year, 505 Americans were arrested with drugs concealed in their bodies at southern checkpoints, compared with just 35 people from all other countries during the same period. Santa Clara: Investigation underway into attempted bank robbery, Pleasanton: Suspects sought in fatal stabbing during robbery attempt, Attacks on delivery drivers add to gig workers fears, Search for missing Oklahoma teens leads to house, 7 dead, U.S. Attorneys office announced that 1,000, Harriette Cole: My friend's mom didn't recognize me at my job, and she was very rude. Sheriff Manuel Gonzales said in a statement that such operations in Albuquerque continue to produce results that are helping to make the community safer. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Assistant U.S. "This was not something he was regularly involved in," Cantu said of Mendoza, who pleaded guilty to a drug smuggling charge in March. Deputies and members of an FBI task force seized about 18,000 pills along with meth, heroin and other substances after getting a tip Ingram would regularly travel from Arizona to New Mexico with . Homeland Security Investigators. Customs and Border Protection says narcotics seizures along the U.S.-Mexico border have increased slightly in the 2021 fiscal year, while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said Mexican traffickers' ability to move drugs into the country had stayed "largely intact.". Theyre looking for whatever methods they can come across to most safely and efficiently move drugs across the border.". Counts 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 22 through 24, 27, 28, 30, 32 and 33 charge certain defendants with using communication facilities to facilitate drug trafficking crimes. Omar Fernandez, 21, of Albuquerque, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 24 and 28 of the indictment. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Quintana-Arias manifest indicated his trailer contained auto body parts, but anomalies were detected in the trailer by both an X-ray machine and a drug-sniffing dog, according to the complaint. The bust happened at a residence on Coolidge Avenue in Columbus on Thursday after about a month-long investigation. The statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than ten years or more than life and a $10 million fine. Agents then learned that Daniel Verduzco fled the United States to Mexico via plane on November 17, 2020, which coincided with the day of another major law enforcement takedown of a drug trafficking organization in the Bay Area. Twenty-three of the 28 defendants are charged in a 44-count indictment, three are charged in two separate criminal complaints, and two will be charged in criminal complaints being filed today. Criminal Complaint in United States v. Jose Fernando Lucero, 17-MJ-617-GJF. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Indictments and complaints are only allegations. A drug cartel hijacked and burned more than a dozen vehicles across Tijuana and killed innocent bystanders in the region during a spree of violence. Hernandez-Loaiza was arrested this morning in Albuquerque. The shooting happened along N. Riverside Drive near Century Bank after officers responded to calls about a traffic hazard. The statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than five years, which must be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on other counts of conviction. Jesus A. Flores, 39, a legal permanent resident of Anthony, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 38 and 43 of the indictment. The Albuquerque Police Department made a large drug bust on Thursday recovering narcotics, a gun and cash in a stolen car.Officers were near San Pedro and Kathryn conducting an operation when they . He was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center. WASHINGTON - Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared during his inaugural address last August that the time has come for a new approach in the international war on drugs, which he . Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Devils blank Rangers in Game 7, face Canes in second, Harden scores 45, hits late 3 as 76ers down Celtics, Met Gala: Rihanna, Jared Leto as Choupette, Kim K., Serena Williams, Karlie Kloss reveal pregnancies, Phillies slugger Harper expected to return to lineup, Braves slugger Ronald Acua Jr. exits game after, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In September, our Albuquerque office conducted the largest takedown of fentanyl ever for the FBI, Director Christopher Wray said in a video posted on YouTube. Prosecution of those who manufacture and distribute these illicit and dangerous narcotics is and must remain a top priority for the District of New Mexico., The drug trafficking organizations that produce and distribute these potentially-lethal counterfeit pills containing fentanyl care only about one thing: maximizing profits, said Kyle W. Williamson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administrations El Paso Division. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at, Rio Rancho Man Charged with Possession of Destructive Devices, Artistas Asesinos Cartel leader sentenced to 27 years for drug trafficking, Prison escapee sentenced to 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge resulting from shooting of Farmington Police Officer. Mexico arrests drug cartel leader expelled by US - Al Jazeera Tom Homan says number of illegal border crossings is unprecedented', White House insists border is closed despite massive migrant surge. In Dockerys residence, law enforcement located approximately 3,838.3 gross grams of fentanyl and 924.2 gross grams of methamphetamine allegedly belonging to the Seibel DTO. The maximum penalty on conviction is from five to 40 years in prison. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The national director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is calling a recent drug bust in Albuquerque the largest in the Bureaus history. Briseo-Lopez has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Grants Police investigation ends with major drug bust - KRQE Barboza told law enforcement officials that she was to drive the shipment to an undisclosed location in Houston in exchange for $10,000, according to a criminal complaint. Traffic stop leads to major drug bust in Cibola County - KRQE On June 9, a federal grand jury indicted Seibel and Pettit on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of distribution of 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and four counts of distribution of 40 grams and more of fentanyl. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. MIAMI - South Florida federal prosecutors have charged the leader of a notorious Mexican drug cartel and five others for their alleged roles in importing into the United States over 500 kilograms of Mexican methamphetamine. HOPEs law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorneys Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Cantu estimates the number of cases he's handled of U.S. citizens facing drug smuggling charges has doubled since 2019. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org. The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office said Friday that Terry Ingram, 54, of Phoenix is accused of violating parole and has been charged with multiple counts of trafficking and possession with intent to distribute. Hours of operation and contact information are provided below. FCSO drug bust nets $1 million worth of cocaine from Mexico Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The maximum penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than five years or more than 40 years and a $5 million fine. The criminal complaint charges Jose Fernando Lucero, 24, of Las Cruces, N.M., with conspiracy and possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute. Similarly, in an Oct. 26 traffic stop in San Jose, authorities found 22 pounds of methamphetamine in a car driven by Edgar Portillo, according to prosecutors. As drug crisis rages in US, Biden meets with progressive Colombian Six people have been arrested by ICE on various drug trafficking charges involving crack cocaine. Customs and Border Protection), BLINKEN VISITS CENTRAL AMERICA AS PROLONGED MIGRANT CRISIS RAMPS UP PRESSURE ON BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION. Last August, authorities observed Jimenez-Verduzco place a duffle bag in Sanchez-Pedrazas car. This entire investigation is a perfect example of an interdiction that continued into a perfectly executed investigation through a unified effort., The results of this multi-agency operation reflects greatly on the partnership and commitment of dedicated men and women to combat the poisoning of our communities with highly addictive and dangerous drugs, said Waldemar Rodriguez, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso. Crime and Public Safety | Deputies and members of an FBI task force seized about 18,000 pills along with meth, heroin and other substances after getting a tip Ingram would regularly travel from Arizona to New Mexico with narcotics and would distribute them in the Albuquerque area, authorities said. In New Mexico, fentanyl and methamphetamine overtook heroin and prescription opioids as the top cause. HSI is committed to continue working with our law enforcement partners to enhance public safety in our communities.. Lucero was arrested on March 10, 2017, and remains in federal custody pending trial. Count 12 charges a defendant with distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Wed, May 26th 2021, 2:30 PM PDT. Fentanyl seizures at U.S. southern border rise dramatically - NBC News Our public health clinics are some of the primary ways in which we support the health of all New Mexicans. "But generally speaking people sometimes may find themselves in a bind. The indictment includes 77 overt acts allegedly committed by the defendants in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy. Elizabeth Monroy, 19, of Chaparral, N.M., is charged in Counts 1 and 36-37 of the indictment. Updated: Feb 17, 2022 / 06:44 AM MST GRANTS, N.M. (KRQE) - More than $1 million worth of drugs are now off the streets of New Mexico, thanks to a single bust. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested six defendants Feb. 17, charged with various drug trafficking offenses involving crack cocaine. Bahe was arrested this morning in Las Cruces. No cartel connection has been publicly revealed in this case. Jazmin Lucia Soto, 19, of Chaparral, N.M., is charged in Counts 1 and 36-37 of the indictment. Count 41 charges a defendant with carrying and possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. , This entire investigation is a perfect example of an interdiction that continued into a perfectly executed investigation through a unified effort., The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorneys Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. U.S. government destroying the dollars value through inflation. Further, that Ryan Rodriguez acted as a mid-level cocaine distributor, receiving supplies of cocaine from Jose and Natalie Mendoza, converting it to crack cocaine, and distributing it to customers, including an undercover agent posing as a lower-level drug trafficker. He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. He told authorities he acted as a middle man and would take the cash from the drug deals in New Mexico back to Arizona, the complaint says. The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. PUBLISHED: February 12, 2021 at 1:17 p.m. | UPDATED: February 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. A state, federal and local investigation has busted a Colorado drug and money laundering ring with ties to . Terrazas-Ignacio was arrested this morning in Las Cruces. The 44-count indictment, which was filed under seal on April 19, 2017 and unsealed earlier today, alleges that the 23 defendants charged therein participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine between April 2016 and April 2017. Victor Manjarrez, a former Border Patrol sector chief in El Paso and Tucson, said "the use of American citizens kind of ebbs and flows. U.S. citizens had been apprehended about 2,400 times by late March for drug smuggling during inspections of vehicles crossing those checkpoints. In many cases, drug couriers in the U.S. are recruited for one-off assignments to drive a shipment across the border in exchange for a lump sum payment based on how much product they are transporting, experts say. Apprehension numbers for U.S. and Mexican citizens caught driving drugs over the border in recent years also were not as far apart as this year 1,693 vs. 793 in 2018 and 2,694 vs. 1,218 in 2019, respectively. San Jose police bust 7 underground casinos, yielding guns, drugs, nearly $300,000 in cash Among the agencies that participated in the investigation were the DEA Albuquerque District Office, DEA El Paso Division, DEA El Paso Division SRT, DEA Las Cruces District Office, DEA St. Louis Division, DEA South Central Laboratory, DEA Aviation, FBI Albuquerque Field Office, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, Albuquerque Police Department, Pueblo of Laguna Police Department, Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department, Valencia County Sheriffs Office, Rio Rancho Police Department, Torrance County Sheriffs Office, Belen Police Department and Albuquerque Fire & Rescue. U.S. citizens were apprehended nearly seven times more often than Mexican citizens between October 2020 and March 31 for trying to smuggle drugs in vehicles, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows. Indictment in United States v. Luis Angel Briseo-Lopez, et al., 17-CR-1032-RB. . This operation reinforces that there are consequences to those that choose to conspire to illegal narcotics crimes in our communities and state., The Hatch Police Department along with the other agencies involved in todays operation continue to have a strong relationship, said Chief James Gimler of the Hatch Police Department. The names of the people. Fentanyl and meth are cheaper and more widely available as street drugs, interviews with law enforcement and Department of Health Officials reveal. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Ramirez was arrested this morning in Anthony. Carmona was arrested this morning in Arlington, Tex. Petro told reporters after the meeting with Biden that he asked the U.S. for help in fighting drugs. Details of the investigation, which started in October 2020, were revealed in court records filed this week that included an indictment charging four people with involvement in a drug ring that sold heroin and methamphetamine. Count 1 charges all six defendants with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Authorities estimate the street value of the drugs to be $360,000. , Photos: Sky News 13 flies over Good Friday pilgrimages, PHOTOS: Storm moves through New Mexico leaving snow, Snow causes difficult driving conditions across NM, Map: New Mexico Veterans Monuments and Memorials, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Jose Manuel Ortiz-Campos, 28, a legal permanent resident residing in El Paso, Tex., is charged in Counts 1- 2 and 36-40 of the indictment. New Mexicos fentanyl deaths have been on the rise since 2015, data from the states Department of Health shows. ST. LOUIS - The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) busted a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking ring and 11 people from St. Louis have been arrested for their role. Feel free to contact us or use our A to Z page to find an alphabetical list of pages and services available on this site. Have a question about Government Services? District of New Mexico Yatziri Barboza was one. And at least 12 gang-related homicides have resulted in federal murder charges. P.O. Daniel Verduzco is believed to have remained in Mexico since that time, federal prosecutors wrote in the motion.