A grand jury returned an indictment against the defendants on Feb. 25. Quintana-Arias faces federal drug charges and was arraigned Friday. 5. Dona Ana. Border Patrol Agents In New Mexico Make Drug Bust and Arrest Aggravated Felon Release Date Tue, 08/11/2020 - 12:00 ALAMOGORDO, N.M. - In separate incidents over the weekend, U.S. Border Patrol Agents arrested a wanted aggravated felon and a narcotics smuggler. An officer who works on a federal drug task force made a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle on Feb. 10. Our region is a rich environment that can be exploited by criminals, said Chief Gloria Chavez of the El Paso Sector. Nineteen suspected members of the ring were arrested. The busts netted some 64 kilograms of methamphetamine, 30 kilograms of heroin, 20 kilograms of marijuana and 17 kilograms of cocaine. NIANTIC, Conn. In a massive drug enforcement operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), more than 100 individuals were arrested early Wednesday in five states and Puerto Rico on state and federal charges related to the large-scale trafficking of heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into and around . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Gerardo Rafael Lara-Yanez, 24, of Albuquerque, was charged in federal court with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more District of New Mexico Over 17 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of almost $600,000 was seized. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. This figure is less than half of the 71 homicides for all of the month of March. Edvardo Carlson allegedly conducted drug transactions at Ryan Rodriguezs direction. drug bust news stories - get the latest updates from ABC13. "This is a staggering seizure that demonstrates the extent of our current fight against mass production of methamphetamine and fentanyl," acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said, thanking all the agencies involved in the bust. In total, authorities say they seized 10.5 kilograms of cocaine, 650 grams of suspected fentanyl and more than $200,000 in drug proceeds. 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 . googletag.enableServices(); Vigil said he is encouraged by the tone of the Trump administration, which has vowed support and funding to further these operations. And having a restricted supply increases the money that sellers can demand in exchange for the goods. The Mexican Navy conducted the first drug bust on August 16 in Sinaloa, Mexico, which is home to the . Espaola Valley. Andrea Rodriguez is charged in Counts 1 and 3. 3. Ryan Rodriguez allegedly acted as a mid-level cocaine distributor. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, If it's more money, maybe he gets killed.". Agents from Southwest Border Group 2 began investigating a large scale . and receive the latest news each week on business, government, real estate and more! Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 2023 New Mexico Sun. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Jose Mendoza, 32, and Natalie Mendoza, 35, of Medanales, New Mexico, Ryan Rodriguez, 27, of Chamita, New Mexico, Andrea Rodriguez, 28, and Edvardo Carlson, 39, of Espanola, New Mexico, and Bridget Archuleta, 31, of San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico appeared in federal court today for arraignment on an indictment charging them with various drug trafficking offenses involving . The Georgia Bureau of Investigation West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office along with the Haralson-Paulding Drug Task Force executed search and arrest warrants on five homes in Villa Rica,. Market data provided by Factset. Jose Mendoza Counts 1, 2, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Attorneys Peter Eicker and Matthew Nelson are prosecuting the case as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force 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. Initiative, a law enforcement effort that brings together state and local law enforcement to target New York's growing and often violent heroin, opioid, and narcotics trafficking networks. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. All rights reserved. Market data provided by Factset. A drug-sniffing dog then alerted CBP officers to the rear door of the trailer. 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. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By Matthew Reisen / Journal Staff Writer 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. , 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. Everything from shipments of tomatoes, avocados, jalapenos and broccoli, to loads of cobblestones, lighting fixtures and electronic equipment were used in attempted smuggling cases at the border. New Mexico and ABQ News, Sports, Business and more, By ABQJournal News Staff Some of the drugs were headed to the US, Gallo said Sunday. The maximum penalty on conviction is up to four years in prison. Have a question about Government Services? A massive drug bust involved over 25 people being indicted by a federal grand jury April 8 where they were allegedly involved in international money laundering and a meth trafficking scheme. Natalie Mendoza allegedly kept records of drug sales and collected proceeds from drug transactions. gptAdSlots.push(gptSlot); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); The U.S. 49 people connected to a drug ring are now off the streets of Chester County. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. New Zealand police find 3.5 tons of cocaine in Pacific Ocean. As a former U.S. During the traffic stop, Troopers identified several indicators of criminal activity, and a drug-sniffing K9 was requested to the scene, who subsequently indicated to the presence of narcotics within the vehicle. Six people have been arrested by ICE on various drug trafficking charges involving crack cocaine. 7:19 AM EST March 7, 2020 35 people were arrested earlier this week after a drug distribution investigation between police departments and officials in New Hampshire and Maine. The maximum penalty on conviction is 10 years to life in prison. 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. }); As an anti-prohibition activist, it is interesting that these busts are being made. Mace didnt identify the suspect but said the $1 million in marijuana will be destroyed. The maximum penalty on conviction is up to 20 years in prison. She said the drug problem contributes to other crime in the area. Between August 2020 and May 2021, agents and officers recovered over 120 pounds of narcotics, over $335,000 in cash, and two guns, as well as drug paraphernalia. Sessions visited border towns and Long Island, New York, the past two weeks to announce that the administration will clamp down on MS-13, a violent street gang with Central American roots that is terrorizing many parts of the country. An indictment is only an accusation. CBP finds $61M worth of drugs in loads of cactus and limes. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In Denver alone, there were 350 drug overdose deaths between Jan. 1, 2020, and Nov. 30, said Deanne Reuter, special agent in charge with the DEA, at the news conference. Attorney General James Busts Two Major Drug Trafficking Rings in Central New York 78 Individuals Indicted for Trafficking Cocaine, Heroin, and Fentanyl Throughout NYS; Illegal Possession of Firearms, Including Untraceable Ghost Guns AG James Has Taken More Than 1,400 Guns Off NYS's Streets Since 2019 The maximum penalty on conviction is from 10 years to life in prison. The drugs found included 8,810 pounds of fentanyl and 13,216 pounds of heroin. Investigators also recovered more than 30 firearms and seized approximately $14,000 in cash. 1. New Mexico State Police say they found more than a dozen guns - some of them stolen - thousands in cash, a. DRUG CARTELS IN MEXICO BEING TAKEN OVER BY RUTHLESS, BUT CHARMING, WOMEN. Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. 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 meth was concealed in the roof of a tractor-trailer carrying imported fresh onions from Mexico. Authorities discovered the underground drug lab in a mountainous area where they seized a staggering 50 tons of methamphetamine, which has an estimated street value of approximately $4 billion. The drug seizure . 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. "That's a record number of drug overdoses in the history of tracking these types of statistics," Olesky said. The company flew its test plane for 15 minutes at low elevation above the Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, where it 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.