recent drug bust in new mexico 2020 recent drug bust in new mexico 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) The Treasury Department on Wednesday sanctioned a group of people and companies connected to Mexico's powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, including a sibling involved in the family-run Valenzuela drug trafficking organization. 40,000 Fentanyl Pills, 20 Lbs. Fentanyl found stuffed in coconuts in Mexican truck December 3, 2022 | 12:56pm Police in Mexico found 660 pounds of fentanyl stuffed into coconuts and presumably headed to the US, authorities. Read More. Mexican police find $62M in drugs in abandoned truck near border. The drug seizure . Colorado State slices up Lobos; UNM is a 6 To say that defense was optional would imply is was a choice. We need more boots on the ground because a wall will not solve illegal immigration or drug trafficking, Vigil said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Hogrefe said the investigation that led to the drug bust was conducted as part of the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiative, a DEA-led operation designed to uproot narcotics operations throughout the state. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. Seventeen people were arrested apart of the same drug ring on a 66-count indictment. Will there be a brighter ending to this legislative session? Photo Courtesy ICE ICE-HSI NEWS U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested six defendants Feb. 17, charged with various drug trafficking offenses involving crack cocaine. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 5. Despite the deputy seizing that much marijuana, its unlikely that the suspect will face charges, due to a technicality. Subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Market data provided by Factset. Marshals Office, DEA, and local law enforcement agencies made 100 arrests in a week. Showing 1 - 10 of 10919 results. Click Share This Page button to display social media links. The . Carlos Martin Quintana-Arias, of Mexico, was driving a 2009 Kenworth Tractor pulling a 1996 Stoug trailer when he applied for entry into the U.S. at the Otay Mesa, California, Commercial Port of Entry at around 8:20 p.m., the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Southern District of California said in a news release. U.S. Customs and Border Protection made a record-breaking seizure of fentanyl and methamphetamine on Thursday, busting a Mexican citizen who was trying to haul the drugs into to the U.S. inside a. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office said investigators uncovered 75 firearms, 9 pounds of methamphetamine, 3 pounds of fentanyl and an undisclosed amount of heroin. She was arrested on Feb. 27 and is in custody pending a detention hearing later today. Legal Statement. Jun 29, 2022. swansea council parking contact number . }); googletag.cmd.push(function() { Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. According to the U.S. State Department in Ciudad Juarez, there were 545 murders in 2016, an increase from the two previous years. Dona Ana. October 2019, along with our law enforcement partners we initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating here in Roswell; They were trafficking very large amounts of methamphetamine, said Kyle Williamson, Special Agent in charge of the DEA, El Paso Division. Pitch your story to The New Mexico Sun. Tijuana-San Diego. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. (Google Maps). googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); Cannon Air Force Base commander: 'Were excited to open up the base to the public and put a lot of things on display for folks to see', Retail theft bill blocked in New Mexico House: There is tremendous public desire to address the root causes of this crime epidemic, Mayor of Los Ranchos: 'Everybody that is here is really enjoying the matanza, especially the food', Bahadir: 'My parents, my uncle, everybody in my family the city they grew up in is leveled', Edgewood mayor: 'It is not logical to destroy a useful community center for the Edgewood people', Local deputies participate in Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge: 'I've never been in any type of physical or mental exhaustion like that'. So far this year, there have been about 250 people murdered in the city. U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales on Thursday announced federal According to public court records allegations have been made that, Jose Mendoza, and his wife, Natalie Mendoza, were high-level suppliers of cocaine in the Espaola Valley of New Mexico. Official websites use .gov Investigators believe a Mexican drug cartel is behind a major illegal drug operation in Tulare . "And the main driving force behind this overdose epidemic is the synthetic opioid drug fentanyl." The maximum penalty on conviction is 10 years to life in prison. This indictment is the product of a joint federal investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Region III Narcotics Task Force which includes members of the BIA, New Mexico State Police, the Santa Fe Police Department, the Santa Fe County Sheriff and the Taos Police Department. 2. For now, I can tell you that the goal with this operation is to reduce the availability of heroin and other drugs in the Valley before they and the people who dispense them wreak havoc in the lives of the families who call Espaola and Rio Arriba County home., The operation in the southern part of the state was focused on a family-run drug transporting ring and was part of a larger, national effort called Project Deliverance., Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. Santa Fe County District Attorney Angela Spence Pacheco said she appreciated federal authorities taking an interest in the drug problems that have plagued her part of New Mexico. So what we have to do to make sure that these people dont continue to act and degrade the community here and our quality of life is we bring in our federal partners, said Roswell Police Chief Philip Smith. Count 1 of the indictment charges all six defendants with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Gun safe storage bill inches closer to governor's desk Republicans express concern over high-profile measure Republicans express concern over high-profile measure during Fridays two-hour debate. , VIDEO: Giant I-40 light poles sway in strong ABQ, Taxidermy birds used to make drones at New Mexico, PHOTOS: Storm leaves parts of state covered in snow, PHOTOS: Winter storm moves through NM leaving snow, PHOTOS: Storm causes snowy, icy roads across New, Map: New Mexico Veterans Monuments and Memorials, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This was not the only huge meth seizure in the region. (Google Maps). or redistributed. While the truckers manifest indicated the trailer held automotive body parts, an X-Ray machine detected anomalies that required further inspection, authorities said. Gonzales said the dealers arrested were mostly longtime Espaola Valley residents. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. On August 6, U.S.Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Alamogordo immigration checkpoint on U.S. Highway 54, encountered a gray Jeep Patriot approaching the primary inspection area. Count 3 charges certain defendants with distribution of cocaine base. The busts netted some 64 kilograms of methamphetamine, 30 kilograms of heroin, 20 kilograms of marijuana and 17 kilograms of cocaine. Natalie Mendoza is charged in Counts 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 12. New Mexico State Police say they found more than a dozen guns some of them stolen thousands in cash, a fair amount of fentanyl and a Los Lunas Police badge when they raided the home of 35-year-old Army veteran Claudio Chavez on Jan. 30. Friday, federal and local law enforcement announced the results of an operation in southeast New Mexico that led to the arrest of 100 suspected criminals. According to a news release from the U.S. Counts 2, 5, 7, 9 and 11 charge certain defendants with use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. PORTLAND, Ore. U.S. authorities said Wednesday they completed drug-trafficking busts in Oregon that involved an international network of couriers, dealers and stash-house operators who smuggled. To tell you the truth, I havent seen that guy in over a year, so I dont really know what hes up to, he said. Constantly updated. Jurez police and the Mexican military seized a huge drug load of fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine and marijuana estimated to be worth more than $60 million. Mexican authorities found 25,000 pounds worth of narcotics hidden inside a tractor-trailer that was abandoned just south of the Mexican border on Dec. 6. It sounds like a lot but thats just a drop in the bucket, as far as the amount of narcotics that are moving across our state, Mace said in the KRQE article. In short, drug prohibition creates drug kingpins. The 16-month investigation targeted members of the Sinaloa Cartel, once headed by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who is currently in jail awaiting trial in Brooklyn Federal Court. Gonzales said 39 members of the group were charged in a federal indictment, and 26 have been arrested, so far. They were charged with offenses such as distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription drugs and heroin. More than 50 drug dealers and distributors in different parts of the state were rounded up as part of two federal investigations, U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said Thursday. Some are suspected to have returned to Mexico. And as a result of this operation several individuals who have been involved in contributing to that problem have been arrested, she said. New Mexico State Police say they found more than a dozen guns - some of them stolen - thousands in cash, a. A diplomatic row has frozen U.S.-Mexican efforts to target drug cartels. He said as part of the operation, 15 people were arrested on federal drug charges and 14 others were arrested on state drug charges. He is looking forward to the 5,000 additional Border Patrol agents pledged by President Trump in one of his first executive orders. And having a restricted supply increases the money that sellers can demand in exchange for the goods. The maximum penalty on conviction is from five to 40 years in prison. To say that defense was optional would imply is was a choice. The busts netted some 64 kilograms of methamphetamine, 30 kilograms of heroin, 20 kilograms of marijuana and 17 kilograms of cocaine. The bust comes as several states have legalized recreational marijuana; New Mexico is set to decriminalize it in April. Updated: 11:05 PM CST November 13, 2020. According to a story by news station KRQE, Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace said authorities were investigating a string of armed robberies in the area; the traffic stop and resulting seizure resulted because deputies were on high alert.. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized approximately one million pills laced with fentanyl allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in what authorities say is the biggest bust for . 1. The defendants communicated extensively by telephone and text message about their drug trafficking business. Inside the home they found 33 grams of heroin, 35 grams of fentanyl and 18 grams of methadone along with smaller amounts of PCP, meth and marijuana. U.S. Customs and Border Protection made a record-breaking seizure of fentanyl and methamphetamine on Thursday, busting a Mexican citizen who was trying to haul the drugs into to the U.S. inside a truck, authorities said. Chavez was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center and charged with four counts of drug trafficking and three counts of possession of stolen property. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico, Federal Domestic Violence Statutes and Elements for Prosecution, Six defendants charged in conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in Northern New Mexico, Mexican drug trafficker sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, Columbus man sentenced for drug trafficking, Albuquerque man charged in drug, firearms investigation, Six Defendants Charged In Conspiracy To Distribute Crack Cocaine In Northern New Mexico. New Zealand police find 3.5 tons of cocaine in Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Subscribe now to access decluttered news, chosen by you. The meth was concealed in the roof of a tractor-trailer carrying imported fresh onions from Mexico. February 21, 2023. Truck carrying $30 million in liquid meth seized in El Paso. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. The first-term state representative and former Albuquerque middle school math teacher grew up in Chihuahua and has an engineering degree. Counts 4, 6, 8, and 10 charge certain defendants with distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base. It is random, if a shipment is caught. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); Mexican law enforcement officials made four major drug busts in recent days which yielded over 120,000 lbs. of cocaine found in wheels of traveler's wheelchair at airport But as we all know, we have a very long way to go. John Tavares, 36, was sentenced on Feb. 7, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Leo. Mace didnt identify the suspect but said the $1 million in marijuana will be destroyed. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The amount of fentanyl seized by U.S. border agents at the southern border has skyrocketed in recent years, from 70 pounds in the fiscal year 2015 to nearly 4,000 pounds from Oct. 1, 2019, to Sept . A Border Patrol canine alerted to the possible presence of narcotics during an immigration inspection. Theyre asking anyone who knows where he is, to call the police. Largest Database of New Mexico Mugshots. She was arrested on Feb. 27 and is in custody pending a detention hearing on Mar. The Southern California seizure occurred on Oct. 2, 2020. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. DEA has seized enough fentanyl this year to kill every American Drug bust uncovers enough fentanyl to kill 800K people 28 lbs. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Espaola Valley. Mexican police find $62M in drugs in abandoned truck near border Mexican authorities found 25,000 pounds worth of narcotics hidden inside a tractor-trailer that was abandoned just south of the Mexican border on Dec. 6. Amid debate over transgender rights, New Mexico House OKs New Mexico legislation would prohibit discrimination New Mexico legislation would prohibit discrimination in provision of public services on basis of gender, gender identity, Colorado State slices up Lobos; UNM is a 6 seed in league tourney, If it MUST be the NIT, UNM basketball has a plan, After bill was vetoed last year, lawmakers try again to boost pay of NM judges, Gun safe storage bill inches closer to governor's desk after winning Senate approval. The two largest seizures are believed to have hit the Sinaloa cartel, while the smaller seizure in Baja California happened on turf that is primarily controlled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Tijuana Cartel. Count 12 of the indictment charges certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Sign up for the New Mexico Sun Newsletter, Juniper Basin Recreation Area will offer 'beautiful landscapes' for future bike park. Market data provided by Factset. CBP finds $61M worth of drugs in loads of cactus and limes. 4. , Memorial, memes honor ABQs fallen Iron Man statue, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. Attorneys Peter Eicker and Matthew Nelson are prosecuting the case as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, a nationwide Department of Justice program that combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations. He was arrested on Feb. 27 and is in custody pending a detention hearing on Mar. Chavez was last arrested in 2016 on several violent felonies, including. Police also seized 24 firearms, $102,000 in cash and three vehicles. Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103, Telephone: (505) 346-7274 Bridget Archuleta Counts 1, 4, 11 and 12. A detention hearing was scheduled for Tuesday. "Since the seizure didnt meet that weight requirement, the federal government declined to prosecute, simply interviewing the suspect and releasing him.. Natalie Mendoza Counts 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12. The Otay Mesa, California, Commercial Port of Entry is one of three ports of entry in the San Diego-Tijuana metropolitan region in California. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Overwhelming most illegal drugs get through. Border Patrol Agents In New Mexico Make Drug Bust and Arrest Aggravated Felon. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! googletag.cmd.push(function() { The special agent in charge of the DEA El Paso Division said operations like this will happen more frequently. window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; Mace said that while the driver wasnt connected to the robberies, it was obvious that something was amiss. ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - Crime in New Mexico continues to be a growing problem. A further inspection of the vehicle revealed eight bundles concealed in different locations throughout the vehicle. In a separate incident August 5, Santa Teresa Border Patrol agents arrested a 42-year-old Mexican man who was illegally crossing into the United States. Have a concern or an opinion about this story? The raids, which also targeted properties in Mexico City and the northern state of Durango, marked the latest large-scale fentanyl bust . A lot of that is drug smuggling, a lot of those drugs end up here and end up on the streets in these communities, we have an obligation to help, said Eric, the Special Agent in charge of the Homeland Security New Mexico and West Texas Division. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. "That's a record number of drug overdoses in the history of tracking these types of statistics," Olesky said. Dozens of Albuquerque Academy students volunteered to help unload and deliver the furnishings. In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated. window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; But, he add, he doesnt see the proposed border wall as a solution. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 2. The defendants allegedly communicated extensively by telephone and text message about their drug trafficking business. The woman told police Chavez bound her inside his van and told her to write a suicide note which she refused to do before choking her to unconsciousness repeatedly and bashing her head against the concrete. The massive bust was a collaboration between New Hampshire and Maine. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); 2023 New Mexico Sun. Count 12 charges certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base. His lieutenant gets pulled over and loses the meth. 2. They targeted violent criminals and drug organizations in Roswell. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); In New Mexico, fentanyl and methamphetamine overtook heroin and prescription opioids as the top cause. During the stop, a search of the vehicle was conducted. They were allegedly distributing drugs throught New Mexico and Texas and into Colorado and other states. The Fifth Judicial District Attorney said Roman Reyes-Mesa, who is still on the loose and wanted for conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, is why the operation happened. Is it always financially worthwhile to attend one of New Mexicos four-year public universities? According to court records, Jose Mendoza and Natalie Mendoza also laundered proceeds from their drug trafficking by making large cash payments on auto loans and large cash deposits into accounts at credit unions.