IN THIS SECTION     Articles-1 A-C (News Resources) More Detail     Articles-2 (News Resources) More Detail Part 2: D - G (here)     Articles-3 (News Resources) More Deta J - Z        Links Brief  DRUG USAGE CATEGORIES NM      Cocaine       Heroin       Fentanyl    Meth       Opioids (General)       Signs of Meth Usage     Help/Prevention   DRUG ENFORCEMENT     DEA/Task Forces       HIDTA       Region II Narcotics Task Force       Region III Narcotics Task Force  AREAS   Alamagordo       Albuquerque     Anthony     Artesia       Aztec - also see San Juan County       Belen       Bernalillo County       Bloomfield - also see San Juan County       Carlsbad       Chama       Chaparral     Chimayo     Cimarron     Clovis       Deming       Espanola       Farmington - See San Juan County       Gallup       Hatch     Hobbs     Jemez Valley     Jemez Springs     Kirtland - also see San Juan County     La Luz       Las Cruces           Las Vegas       Los Lunas     Moriarty     Otero County/Southern NM       Portales       Raton       Rio Rancho       Roswell       San Juan County       Santa Fe       Silver City     Socorro       Taos     Tijeras     T or C       Tucumcari       Tularosa       Apache-Jicarilla     Apache-Mescalero     Laguna Pueblo     Navajo Reservation     San Juan Pueblo       Zuni  See also:   Cartels     New Mexico Corruption     New Mexico Drug Corruption      Police Abuses New Mexico     New Mexico Catholic Abuse  LINKS MORE DETAIL D-G The Daily Beast 2013/08/24    [NM-wide/Meth]   Fact From Fiction.  The Devil’s Drug, The True Story of Meth in New Mexico. By Nick Romeo   http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/08/24/the-devil-s-drug-the-true-story-of-meth-in-new- mexico.html Excerpt:  In anticipation of the new season of Breaking Bad, Nick Romeo travels to New Mexico to separate fact from fiction about the meth trade in New Mexico. He speaks to law enforcement and users about their true life experiences Daily Times 2019/11/09   [Aztec, Meth, Marijuan/Trafficking]   Aztec man accused of trafficking meth after resisting arrest. Substance found in two bags tested positive for meth.  Joshua Kellogg, https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/crime/2019/11/09/aztec-farmington-drug-trafficking-meth- police-resisting-arrest/2535831001/  Excerpt:  An Aztec man is accused of trafficking methamphetamine and resisting arrest after running away from an Aztec police officer.  Bobby Pacheco, 22, was arrested Nov. 2 with the assistance of two citizens after a foot chase in Aztec, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.   He is accused of a second-degree felony count of trafficking controlled substances along with municipal citations for drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of marijuana, concealing identity and shoplifting. https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/crime/2019/11/09/aztec-farmington-drug-trafficking-meth- police-resisting-arrest/2535831001/ 2019/08/25  [Kirtland/Meth/Trafficking]  Kirtland man faces multiple meth trafficking charges, allegedly sold to undercover agent.  Woman accused of drug deal in parking lot of Farmington business.  Joshua Kellogg, https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/crime/2019/08/25/kirtland-man-faces-multiple-meth- trafficking-charges/2097993001/ Excerpt:  A Kirtland man is facing multiple drug trafficking charges for selling meth to an undercover agent, including a purchase aided by woman who allegedly conducted a drug deal in the parking lot of her employer.  Zachariah Shorty, 22, is accused of three felony counts of trafficking a controlled substance and two felony counts of conspiracy to commit trafficking, according to court documents.  Shorty is accused of three instances of trafficking meth and conspiring with two people to traffic meth, according to arrest warrant affidavit. https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/crime/2019/08/25/kirtland-man-faces-multiple-meth- trafficking-charges/2097993001/ 2019/07/26   [San Juan County, NM/Users Meth/Traffickers]   Arrests filed accused meth traffickers.The regional drug enforcement task force has filed 20 arrest warrants in two days   By Joshua Kellogg https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/crime/2019/07/26/20-arrest-warrants-filed-accused-meth- traffickers-san-juan-county-region-ii-drug-force/1838084001/ Excerpt: One suspect, Mikel Cross, 44, faces two counts of trafficking a controlled substance as he allegedly sold meth to an agent or informant on Jan. 22 and 24.  Nanabah Kee, 21, is also accused of a felony count of tampering with evidence after being accused of hiding a bag of meth on her body in an attempt to hide it from law enforcement on July 17 in a room at the Anasazi Inn at 903 W. Main St. in Farmington. Dawn Runyun (Pickard), 39; Tiffany Yazzie, 36; and Summer Poyer, 34, also face felony counts of conspiracy to commit trafficking a controlled substance.  The 15 suspects accused of trafficking meth are: Ronnie Wabbington, 44; Ronald Ayala, 45; Jose Aranda, 40; Michelle Maley, 53; Brandy Dimas, 23; Stacy Silentman, 33; Terry Emmons Jr., 34; Allaya Gibbs, 23; Laquita Begaye, 41; Michael Sandoval, 37; Charlotte Harrison, 35; Becky Kee, 46; Randy Phillips, 54; Thomas Herrera, 33; and Sondra Kirkendall, 25. https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/crime/2019/07/26/20-arrest-warrants-filed-accused-meth- traffickers-san-juan-county-region-ii-drug-force/1838084001/ 2016/05/12 [Navajo Reservation, NW NM/Meth/Trafficking] Feds indict men trafficking conspiracy https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/crime/2016/05/12/feds-indict-men-meth-trafficking- conspiracy/84281400/ Excerpt:  Police say three of the men arrested were ringleaders of a drug trafficking operation that was responsible for 60 to 70 percent of the meth distributed in San Juan County  FARMINGTON — Eight men are facing federal charges on allegations they were trafficking methamphetamine on the Navajo reservation and in northwest New Mexico, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.  Six of the eight men were arrested Wednesday by agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the Region II Narcotics Task Force, which is composed of law enforcement officers from this area, the release states. https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/crime/2016/05/12/feds-indict-men-meth-trafficking- conspiracy/84281400/ D Chieftain 2019/01/26    [Socorro/Overview/Traffickers] Multiple Traffickers Snagged.  By John Larson http://www.dchieftain.com/news/multiple-traffickers-snagged/article_36406c42-2007-11e9-8742- e75051edf69e.html  2019/09/12   [Socorro/Heroin/Trafficking]  Socorro woman arrested in drug buts.  By John Larson http://www.dchieftain.com/news/socorro-woman-arrested-in-drug-bust/article_4346fea2-d4ab-11e9- 96f5-4f281a6f41b7.html Amy Mendoza, 27…suspected drug trafficking…possession of heroin, fourth degree felony and of drug paraphernalia..resulting from Operation New Day DEA 2019/09/20     [Las Vegas-Albuq/Poly Drug Trafficking]  DEA led multi-agency investigation dismantles major NM poly drug trafficking org https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2019/09/20/dea-led-multi-agency-investigation-dismantles-major-new- mexico-poly-drug Excerpt:  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Twelve individuals are facing federal drug trafficking and firearms charges as the result of a two-year DEA-led multi-agency investigation into a major New Mexico-based poly-drug trafficking organization allegedly operating between Las Vegas, N.M., and Albuquerque, N.M., under the alleged leadership of Robert Padilla, 42, of Albuquerque. The investigation culminated this week when Padilla and eight other defendants were arrested yesterday and today by teams of federal, state, county, and local law enforcement officers. https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2019/09/20/dea-led-multi-agency-investigation-dismantles-major-new- mexico-poly-drug 2019/02/08   [Southeastern New Mexico/Major Trafficking Org.] Multi-agency investigation dismantles major drug trafficking organization in southeastern New Mexico https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2019/02/08/multi-agency-investigation-dismantles-major-drug- trafficking-organization LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Ten people are facing federal drug trafficking charges in New Mexico following an 11- month investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lea County Drug Task Force.  Teams of federal, state, county and local law enforcement officers conducted a major law enforcement operation on Thursday leading to the arrest of five defendants from New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas, and the execution of federal search warrants at residences in La Luz and Hobbs, New Mexico. Officers arrested another defendant on Feb. 5, 2019, and two defendants on Feb. 6, 2019.  A grand jury previously indicted all of the defendants.  During the course of the investigation, law enforcement authorities seized approximately 53 kilograms of methamphetamine, 354 grams of heroin, and 20 firearms. https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2019/02/08/multi-agency-investigation-dismantles-major-drug- trafficking-organization Deming Headlight 2020/02/14   [Deming/Drug charges/Meth/Marijuana/Trafficking/Firearms] Federal search warrants produce drug-related charges in Deming, NM.  By Bill Armendariz https://www.demingheadlight.com/story/news/2020/02/14/federal-search-warrants-produce-drug-related- charges-deming-nm/4765335002/ Excerpt: The FBI conducted four federal search warrants at four residences of suspected drug traffickers. New Mexico Air National Guard helicopters flew low with spotlights while officers and agents, including the US Border Patrol, Las Cruces/Doña Ana Metro Narcotics Agency, New Mexico State Police, US Customs and Border Protection executed the simultaneous surprise operation.  The search warrants uncovered over six pounds of methamphetamine and over one pound of marijuana. Twenty-two firearms were also seized.  https://www.demingheadlight.com/story/news/2020/02/14/federal-search-warrants-produce-drug-related- charges-deming-nm/4765335002/ Durango Herald 2019/08/31  [Laguna Pueblo/Meth, Heroin, THC-Huge]    Federal authorities seize $4 million in drugs in New Mexico.  By The Associated Press https://durangoherald.com/articles/291972-federal-authorities-seize-4-million-in-drugs-in-new-mexico Excerpt:  Federal officials say officers seized 85 pounds of drugs on a road that runs through a reservation in New Mexico.  Interior Department officials said Thursday that the bust happened within the boundaries of the Laguna Indian Reservation west of Albuquerque.  The drugs purportedly had a street value of more than $4 million.  Drugs seized included 82.8 pounds of methamphetamines, 2.4 pounds of heroin and 2,000 cigarette cartridges with a THC, the psychoactive element in marijuana. https://durangoherald.com/articles/291972-federal-authorities-seize-4-million-in-drugs-in-new-mexico El Paso TImes 2016/10/11 [Mexicans Across Border Into US Drug smuggling/Cocaine/Heroin/Marijuana/Major Trafficking Org.]  Dozen convicted New Mexico drug ring . By Daniel Borunda http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/crime/2016/10/11/dozen-convicted-new-mexico-drug-ring/91869848/ Excerpt:  A dozen New Mexico, West Texas and Mexico residents have been convicted in federal court in connection with a regional drug trafficking group that used "backpackers" and 18-wheelers to smuggle drugs across the New Mexico border, officials said....Federal agents seized more than $267,000 in drug profits during a multi-agency investigation of what authorities described as a major Mexican drug trafficking organization that transported large amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin.  The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico said 12 of 20 people indicted a year ago have been arrested and convicted. Eight other suspects, who are all Mexican citizens, are fugitives. http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/crime/2016/10/11/dozen-convicted-new-mexico-drug-ring/91869848/ FBI 2018/08/10  [Navajo Reservation, Trafficking/Carjacking/Kidnapping/Murder]  Dismantling a Violent Gang Behind the Scenes of a Rare RICO Case in Indian Country https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/violent-indian-country-gang-dismantled-081018 Excerpt:  They called themselves the Red Skin Kingz, or RSK for short. And unlike most gangs on the sprawling Navajo Nation Indian Reservation that occupies portions of Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona, this criminal group was highly organized and extremely violent.  “Unfortunately, violence in Indian Country is common,” said Mike Caputo, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office, explaining that the violent crime rate on the nearly 200 Indian reservations within the FBI’s investigative jurisdiction is about three times the national average. But RSK, whose top leaders were a mother-son team, “was one of the most violent gangs we have ever seen.”  In May 2018, a federal judge in Phoenix sentenced 28-year-old Devan Leonard to 50 years in prison. His mother, Lucille Leonard, was given a 10-year sentence, and a third gang leader, 26-year-old Kyle Gray, received a 30-year prison term. In a rare occurrence, the three were charged with racketeering offenses typically reserved for the Mafia and other highly structured criminal groups.  The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act is a federal statute that provides penalties for actions performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. In this case, RSK had been engaged for years in drug trafficking, carjacking, kidnapping, and murder.  “There was a clear hierarchy,” said Special Agent Bradley Smith, who investigated the case from the FBI’s Gallup Resident Agency in New Mexico. “And they committed crimes in furtherance of the gang. Within the span of four days in 2014,” Smith said, “they murdered, dismembered, and burned the bodies of three people.” https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/violent-indian-country-gang-dismantled-081018 Forbes  2009/01/20   [Espanola/General Drug Info/Modern Historical Perspective]  The Drug Capitals of America.  By Nathan Vardi https://www.forbes.com/2009/01/20/narcotics-heroin-cocaine-biz-beltway- cz_nv_0121drugcities.html#618d63472224 Excerpt:  It may not be surprising that well-known urban centers like New Orleans, Baltimore, and San Francisco appear on the Forbes list of cities dealing with the worst drug problems in the nation. But some smaller communities are also facing epic battles with drugs, including tiny Española, N.M.  Española is a small city in rural Rio Arriba county, north of Santa Fe. Its population of roughly 10,000 includes a large Hispanic community, relies largely on Los Alamos National Lab for employment and struggles with a high poverty rate. This is the U.S. city that consistently ranks among the top in the nation in drug overdoses, according to federal statistics. It is tough to find another American city that records 42.5 drug-related deaths per 100,000, compared with a national average of 7.3.  Heroin is the drug of choice in Española, and local health groups are at a loss to explain the high rate of overdoses despite a longstanding public health effort. In 2001, New Mexico started distributing Narcan, a drug used to reverse the effects of overdose, and bolstered the program in 2007 by giving out Narcan nasal spray instead of needles. Also in 2007, the state passed a law granting immunity from prosecution for people in possession of illegal drugs if they call 911 to seek help for an overdose or take someone to a hospital.  "We are trying to tackle this on a number of fronts," says Deborah Busemeyer of the New Mexico Health Department. "It is certainly concerning that some of our counties are harder-hit than others." https://www.forbes.com/2009/01/20/narcotics-heroin-cocaine-biz-beltway- cz_nv_0121drugcities.html#618d63472224 Gallup Sun 2016/04/08   [Gallup/Heroin]  North Side Gallup man jailed on drug trafficking charge.  By Bernie Dotson http://www.gallupsun.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8772:north-side-gallup-man-jailed- on-drug-trafficking-charge&catid=175:public-safety-&Itemid=602 A Gallup man was jailed April 7 on a felony drug charge as the result of a multi-agency bust on Black Diamond Canyon Drive.  Lt. Pat Salazar of the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office said Robert Gonzales, 41, of 327 Black Diamond Canyon Drive, was taken into custody at about 10:45 am on a possession with the intent of trafficking heroin charge. http://www.gallupsun.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8772:north-side-gallup-man-jailed- on-drug-trafficking-charge&catid=175:public-safety-&Itemid=602 Governors Org. Crime Commission 1978 (historical record)   Drug Abuse and Organized Crime in New Mexico https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/51838NCJRS.pdf I Grant County Beat 2020/03/12   Local drug trafficker sentenced in Silver City.  By Roger Lanse https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/56578-local-drug-trafficker-sentenced-in-silver-city Excerpt:  Gabriel M. Lucero, 32, of Santa Clara, New Mexico, was convicted in Judge Jarod Hofacket’s 6th Judicial District Court-Silver City on Oct. 3, 2019, in a trial by jury, of trafficking cocaine with intent to distribute. The drug charges were the result of a 2015 investigation and arrest. https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/56578-local-drug-trafficker-sentenced-in-silver-city Updates: 2020/05/13 ABC-2019/07/18; 2020/05/07 FBI-RSK-2018 gang material; 2020/05/03 various insertions and editing; 2020/04/27 Brief Links/created separate page; created separate page Areas; added articles: Deming Headlight-2020/02/14 Alamagordo News- 2020/01/13; Alb. Jrnl-2013/04/04; NewsChannel 10-2019/12/03 and 2019/04/04; DEA-2019/09/20; info on DEA/Task Force; Structural/organizational corrections and additions made;  2020/03/27-ICE 2014/02/27; Daily Times-2019/07/26; 2020/02/22 two drug pages merged-policefactor nm drugs and rivergold nm drugs; 10/07/2017 Justice dot gov 29 San Juan Co;  police factor page started 2016/06/04         

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