Kent man among multistate drug bust of 16 people New Mexicos fentanyl deaths have been on the rise since 2015, data from the states Department of Health shows. Tom Homan says number of illegal border crossings is unprecedented', White House insists border is closed despite massive migrant surge. Nationwide warrant issued for Glouster man believed involved in drug ring. 500 pounds of meth; 11 St. Louisians arrested in massive drug - FOX 2 Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org. Bahe was arrested this morning in Las Cruces. Since 2016, fentanyl abuse has been a primary driver of overdose deaths across the nation. 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. "The perception is that U.S. citizens are given less scrutiny by Border Patrol and CBP," said Michael Corbett, who worked at the Drug Enforcement Administration for 30 years and is now a narcotics expert witness. 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Abundio Rene Cantu, a lawyer representing Mendoza, said he believes his client was offered a reward "in the thousands" of dollars. Feds arrest hundreds, seize drugs in Operation Washout Roswell Drug busts in DC area, 7 states linked to Sinaloa cartel; drugs, guns Hours of operation and contact information are provided below. He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. U.S. citizens had been apprehended about 2,400 times by late March for drug smuggling during inspections of vehicles crossing those checkpoints. Traffic stop in N.M. leads to arrest of suspected drug dealers in Amarillo 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. In 2021, the Latin American country produced 972 tons of cocaine that are exported mostly to the United States, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy reported last July. Charged are Raul Jimenez-Verduzco, who authorities claim took over the drug ring after its leader fled to Mexico, Jose Banuelos-Garcia, Manuel Sanchez-Pedraza and Edgar Portillo. A landmark truth commission report found the war on drugs prolonged thecountry's decadeslong civil war. Rios was arrested in El Paso. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Lucero was arrested on March 10, 2017, and remains in federal custody pending trial. The maximum penalty on conviction is from five to 40 years in prison. Drug cartels | Latest News & Updates | AP News The defendants communicated extensively by telephone and text message about their drug trafficking business. The maximum penalty on conviction is from 10 years to life in prison. District of New Mexico A lock ( She worked at the newspaper from 2009 to 2012, and worked at NBC San Diego from 2013 to 2018 before returning to the paper. This is a staggering seizure that demonstrates the extent of our current fight against mass production of methamphetamine and fentanyl, Grossman said in a statement. 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. But the suspect deputies say had. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS It charges one defendant with a firearms offense. 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. Petro's decriminalization approach comes as Biden has been increasingly criticized by Republicans for being weak on border security and stopping the flow of fentanyl from Mexican cartels who also traffic in Colombian cocaine. Why California bills to crack down on fentanyl dealers have been doomed in the state Legislature 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico, Federal Domestic Violence Statutes and Elements for Prosecution, Members of Albuquerque drug trafficking organization charged with possessing, trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl, Artistas Asesinos Cartel leader sentenced to 27 years for drug trafficking, Federal jury convicts Albuquerque man of drug trafficking offenses and federal firearm violation, Mexican drug trafficker sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. Counts 6 and 29 charge certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a mixture and a substance containing methamphetamine. An official website of the United States government. In August, federal authorities made what they then called likely the largest meth bust in U.S. history, finding more than 5,528 pounds of the drug inside a big rig that crossed from Mexico at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The indictment also includes forfeiture allegations, which seek to forfeit to the United States the proceeds of the DTOs drug trafficking and money-laundering activities, including $56,556 seized by the DEA during the investigation. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. A criminal complaint says authorities found the drugs on the floorboard of Ingrams vehicle and in two bags that were hidden in the vehicles engine compartment. Daniel Verduzco is believed to have remained in Mexico since that time, federal prosecutors wrote in the motion. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Count 12 charges certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base. Alfonso Rios, 36, of Santa Rosa, N.M., is charged in Counts 1 and 11 of the indictment. His detention hearing is set for Friday. According to a re Officials found the packages of drugs inside the trailer, which also contained a few automotive body parts, the complaint said. Agents also seized $12,000 in cash, 30 pounds of marijuana, three guns and "personal use" amounts of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, Apodaca said. 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. Francisco Luna-Rosales, 50, a legal permanent resident who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 27, 29, 38 and 40-42 of the indictment. ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - Crime in New Mexico continues to be a growing problem. Feds announce string of Bay Area drug-trafficking busts tied to Sinaloa Cartel Four multi-agency investigations yield 15 criminal cases with 44 defendants, highlighted by Sunnyvale bust that . Six Northern New Mexico Residents Arrested In Conspiracy To Distribute FCSO drug bust nets $1 million worth of cocaine from Mexico Daisy Hidalgo, 22, of Anthony, N.M., is charged in Counts 1 and 36-37 of the indictment. A locked padlock 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. Counts 14, 25, 35 and 36 charge certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. , 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. Feds announce Bay Area drug busts tied to Sinaloa Cartel - The Mercury News Hernandez-Loaiza was arrested this morning in Albuquerque. 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. An indictment is only an accusation. They believe those drugs were purchased from a supplier in San Diego. Main Office: And four other individuals, suspected to be connected, are in custody. The maximum statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is 20 years and a $500,000. Fax (505) 346-7296. The citizens of New Mexico are safer today because of the collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies. It noted its increasingly seized drugs trafficked by U.S. citizens and by commercial trucks during the pandemic. Natalie Mendoza Counts 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Additionally, defendant Edvardo Carlson is alleged to have conducted drug transactions at Ryan Rodriguezs direction. This undated photo provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows seized drug bundles containing 132 pounds of methamphetamine on display from Feb. 25, 2021, at the Laredo port of. 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. Terrazas-Ignacio was arrested this morning in Las Cruces. In the September 1 bust, the FBI partnered with local police and other federal agents to seize the large quantity of fentanyl. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. John Seibel, 25, Robert Pettit, 51, and Barbara Dockery, 64, all of Albuquerque, appeared in federal court today for their parts in a drug trafficking organization run by Seibel (the Seibel DTO). Count 9 charges a defendant with distributing more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. In addition, the Las Cruces and El Paso offices of Homeland Security Investigations, Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office, Las Cruces Police Department and Sunland Park Police Department participated in todays law enforcement operation. 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. Indictments and complaints are only allegations. 2:12. Last August, authorities observed Jimenez-Verduzco place a duffle bag in Sanchez-Pedrazas car. Ibarra has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "U.S. citizens people that are struggling financially that are going to be allowed to come in. (AP/U.S. Box 607 Dulce Viridiana Rodriguez, 21, of Albuquerque, N.M., is charged in Counts 1 and 38 of the indictment. A photo from federal court documents show the drugs, cash, and firearms seized. Representatives of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, New Mexico State Police, Dona Ana County Sheriffs Department, Las Cruces Police Department and Sunland Park Police Department joined Acting U.S. Attorney Tierney and DEA Special Agent in Charge Glaspy in making the announcement. Since Operation Atonement began seven years ago, over 160 members and associates have been arrested, according to an FBI press release. The indictment includes 77 overt acts allegedly committed by the defendants in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy. 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. 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. Count 42 charges a defendant with managing or controlling a residence for storing controlled substances. The New Mexico Department of Health operates several administrative offices around the state that oversee regional and statewide office operations. Mexico arrests drug cartel leader expelled by US - Al Jazeera "This was not something he was regularly involved in," Cantu said of Mendoza, who pleaded guilty to a drug smuggling charge in March. And at least 12 gang-related homicides have resulted in federal murder charges. 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 . Count 43 charges certain defendants with possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. P.O. "This was long overdue," Martinez said. Joshua Jande Carmona, 23 of El Paso, Tex., is charged in Counts 1-3, 5-8, 10-11, 14, 29-31 and 34-35 of the indictment. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Elias Buck was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 10 years in prison. Law enforcement officials and drug trafficking experts say the border rules put in place in April 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus and their lopsided enforcement are driving the rise in U.S. citizens involved in borderland drug busts. Lock Lock In a September 1 search of multiple locations around the city, law enforcement say they recovered more than 1 million fentanyl pills. 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.