But, he add, he doesnt see the proposed border wall as a solution. Jose Mendoza is charged in Counts 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Authorities confiscated weapons, drugs, and money in the raids. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Click Share This Page button to display social media links. In addition, decreasing the supply of illegal drugs functions primarily to increase the cost that consumers pay which with illegal drugs means that one of the prices they pay is in increased health risk by having a heavily diluted and unsafe drug supply. 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. It is random, if a shipment is caught. AG Sessions vows to eradicate MS-13 gang violence, Violence has surged in Juarez the past few years. googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); She was arrested on Feb. 27 and is in custody pending a detention hearing later today. Federal officials said Ramon Reyes-Mesa may have already fled to Mexico. googletag.cmd.push(function() { Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); 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. An indictment is only an accusation. googletag.defineSlot('/21776187881/FW_Super_Leaderboard', [[300, 50], [970, 90], [300, 100], [728, 90]], 'div-gpt-ad-1668097889433-0').defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps.banner2).addService(googletag.pubads()); Washington, D.C. Man Convicted After Nine-Day Trial for Use of a Firearm in Connection with a Murder and a Robbery, and for a Drug Distribution Conspiracy. googletag.defineSlot('/21776187881/fw-responsive-main_content-slot2', [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 50], [300, 100]], 'div-gpt-ad-1665767737710-0').defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps.banner1).addService(googletag.pubads()); Legal Statement. CBP: Drug Seizures Dropped at Border Ports in SoCal in 2022. Anytime we get a bust like that, were ecstatic were able to keep those narcotics from getting into other communities, Mace said. Drug bust operation north Georgia These are the mugshots for most of the suspects in a major drug bust in north Georgia. The recent arrest of 23 Mexican cartel operatives in New Mexico and West Texas is prime example of newly empowered local and federal law enforcement officials whose attitude reflects that of the Trump administration, some lawmen say. This operation is a first step toward bringing positive changes to the Espaola Valley. window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; So, one of the costs of prohibition is death of the consumer. ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - Crime in New Mexico continues to be a growing problem. February 16, 2023. Counts 4, 6, 8, and 10 of the indictment charge certain defendants with distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base. Natalie Mendoza allegedly kept records of drug sales and collected proceeds from drug transactions. gptAdSlots.push(gptSlot); Follow us on Twitter at @USBPChiefEPT and @CBPWestTexas. Gonzales said 39 members of the group were charged in a federal indictment, and 26 have been arrested, so far. 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. U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. "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. 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. Your email is safe with us, we dont spam. All six defendants were arrested and remain in custody pending detention hearings. googletag.defineSlot('/21776187881/fw-responsive-main_content-slot2', [[468, 60], [728, 90], [300, 100], [320, 50]], 'div-gpt-ad-1665767472470-0').defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps.banner1).addService(googletag.pubads()); Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He allegedly received supplies of cocaine from Jose and Natalie Mendoza, converted it to crack cocaine, and distributed it by the ounce to customers, including an undercover agent posing as a lower level drug trafficker. A grand jury returned an indictment against the defendants on Feb. 25. The meth was concealed in the roof of a tractor-trailer carrying imported fresh onions from Mexico. 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. So far this year, there have been about 250 people murdered in the city. LockA locked padlock According to the U.S. State Department in Ciudad Juarez, there were 545 murders in 2016, an increase from the two previous years. Chavez was last arrested in 2016 on several violent felonies, including. 2. 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. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. 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. and receive the latest news each week on business, government, real estate and more! Chavez was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center and charged with four counts of drug trafficking and three counts of possession of stolen property. Some are suspected to have returned to Mexico. The head of south central Texas DEA shares new insight on the bust . Six people have been arrested by ICE on various drug trafficking charges involving crack cocaine. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The special agent in charge of the DEA El Paso Division said operations like this will happen more frequently. googletag.defineSlot('/21776187881/fw-responsive-main_content-slot3', [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 50], [300, 100]], 'div-gpt-ad-1665767553440-0').defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps.banner1).addService(googletag.pubads()); Assistant U.S. 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. Count 12 of the indictment charges certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base. Mexican Authorities Make Massive Drug Busts Worth Billions. The Mexican Navy conducted the first drug bust on August 16 in Sinaloa, Mexico, which is home to the . El Diario de Juarez reports that there have been 25 murders, including three people killed this past Wednesday and Thursday. A trucker from Mexico was arrested after trying to smuggle record-breaking amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl into the U.S., federal prosecutors said. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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 Friday, June 11th, 2010 at 1:10AM. 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 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. They were allegedly distributing drugs throught New Mexico and Texas and into Colorado and other states. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The situation there is simply not acceptable, he said at a news conference in Albuquerque. Agents from Southwest Border Group 2 began investigating a large scale . Subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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 . }); Agents working at the Ysleta port of entry in El Paso, Texas, seized 1,543 pounds of liquid methamphetamine on Feb. 12. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. NEW MEXICO MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY CONCEALING 67 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN A BOX TRUCK. An indictment is only an accusation. 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. This was not the only huge meth seizure in the region. Police responded to the Mountain Run Shopping Center after Chavezs battered wife ran inside the Smiths grocery to hide from him. 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. Gonzales said 20 defendants were charged in the Espaola Valley, 15 of which have already been arrested. . Will there be a brighter ending to this legislative session? 'EL CHAPO' GUZMAN'S FEARED SUCCESSOR CAPTURED OUTSIDE MEXICO CITY. Click below to share your thoughts. The Southern California seizure occurred on Oct. 2, 2020. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Count 1 charges all six defendants with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. TEMPE, Ariz. ( 3TV/CBS 5 /Gray News) - The Tempe Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Arizona Attorney General's Office shared details on Thursday about a major bust that took . Dona Ana. Count 12 charges certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base. ALAMOGORDO, N.M. In separate incidents over the weekend, U.S. Border Patrol Agents arrested a wanted aggravated felon and a narcotics smuggler. of cocaine found in wheels of traveler's wheelchair at airport Legal. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. She was arrested on Feb. 27 and is in custody pending a detention hearing on Mar. All rights reserved. American officials say illicit fentanyl from labs in Mexico is driving a surge in overdose deaths. Officers also seized 18 guns some with serial numbers ground down and at least three that were stolen more than $11,000 in cash, a Rolex watch and several forms of identification, including passports, drivers licenses and a Los Lunas Police Deparment sergeant badge that were believed to be stolen. 2023 New Mexico Sun. He said most members were arrested in Chaparral, Carlsbad and Albuquerque, while others were arrested in El Paso, Denver and Atlanta. In addition, the DEA seized 120 pounds of methamphetamine worth over a million dollars at street value. In a major crackdown on the drug trafficking cartels, Tripura Police in a joint operation with Assam Rifles busted a syndicate wherein 186 kg of drugs were seized and one person was arrested. The following agencies assisted with the investigation: Drug Enforcement Administration, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Region III Narcotics Task Force, which includes members of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, New Mexico State Police, Santa Fe Police Department, Santa Fe County Sheriff and the Taos Police Department. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. A 29-year-old who posed as a food delivery driver and tried to smuggle illegal opioids into an Adelaide medi-hotel has . U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales on Thursday announced federal googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); Ryan Rodriguezs girlfriend, Bridget Archuleta, is alleged to have participated in drug sales with Rodriguez. Toronto police announce 'staggering' $61 million cross-Canada drug bust Police on Tuesday announced the seizure of 444 kg of cocaine, 182 kg of crystal meth, 427 kg of marijuana, 300 oxycodone . Fox News Flash top headlines for November 24. Noi Mahoney is a Texas-based journalist who covers cross-border trade, logistics and supply chains for FreightWaves. prosecutions against drug dealers in Southeastern New Mexico and the 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. Baby wipes seized at Mexico border turns out to be $11.8M in cocaine. 1. Despite the deputy seizing that much marijuana, its unlikely that the suspect will face charges, due to a technicality. Press Release. The cartels are very ingrained in New Mexico communities with cells and stash houses. Investigators also recovered more than 30 firearms and seized approximately $14,000 in cash. Operation Washout Roswell ran from Nov. 16 to Nov. 19. 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. Read More. Fax (505) 346-7296. Drug bust uncovers enough fentanyl to kill 800K people Nearly 30 charged in drug trafficking ring operating in Pa. counties 28 lbs. In short, drug prohibition creates drug kingpins. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. If Joe can't repay that $50,000, he gets beat up and never sold to again. (Google Maps). Contact, Copyright 2023, All Rights Reserved, FreightWaves, Inc, Five biggest Mexico border drug busts of 2020, Loaded & Rolling (Enterprise Fleet News/Analysis), Mexican police find $62M in drugs in abandoned truck near border, CBP finds $61M worth of drugs in loads of cactus and limes, $37M in meth discovered in fresh tomato shipment, $31M in methamphetamine hidden in trucks roof, Truck carrying $30 million in liquid meth seized in El Paso. Some of the drugs were headed to the US, Gallo said Sunday. Today's takedown marks the latest major drug bust in the OAG's Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (S.U.R.G.E.) masculine culture countries; schuchard elementary staff; azkar al masa; what are swarovski crystals; is black tip ammo legal; biosafe anemia meter australia. 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. During record checks at the station, agents determined that the man had an active warrant for his arrest in relation to a 2002 probation violation for Aggravated Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon by the Dallas Sheriffs Office. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English in 1998. Marshals Office, New Mexico Division. It really gives off a strong odor.. Our region is a rich environment that can be exploited by criminals, said Chief Gloria Chavez of the El Paso Sector. 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. Most recent. John Tavares, 36, was sentenced on Feb. 7, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Leo. 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. The maximum penalty on conviction is up to 20 years in prison. For a $50,000 . recent drug bust in new mexico 2020. trader joe's chocolate ganache cake LIVE; madison 56ers apparel; recent drug bust in new mexico 2020. why was carrie's sister dropped from king of queens . googletag.cmd.push(function() { Jose Mendoza Counts 1, 2, 9, 10, 11 and 12. 0:04. New Mexico Bookings. Mexican law enforcement officials made four major drug busts in recent days which yielded over 120,000 lbs. Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103, Telephone: (505) 346-7274 Mace didnt identify the suspect but said the $1 million in marijuana will be destroyed. According to a news release from the U.S. His lieutenant gets pulled over and loses the meth. Pitch your story to The New Mexico Sun. googletag.enableServices(); His detention hearing is set for Friday. 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. Police also seized 24 firearms, $102,000 in cash and three vehicles. Vigil told Fox News that while on the surface this may not seem like a major drug bust, it does follow a pattern used by major drug traffickers. 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. Federal agents arrested them on Feb. 27 with assistance from state and local law enforcement. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. April has been a relatively peaceful month so far in Juarez. When were talking a couple of hundred pounds of marijuana, it smells, Mace said. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 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. 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. 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. Official websites use .gov Among the individuals apprehended at the border some have prior criminal offenses or active warrants for aggravated assault offenses. Have a question about Government Services? However, I think what they show is what a huge failure the entire effort of attempting to prohibit illegal drugs from Mexico from entering the USA is. 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. Truck carrying $30 million in liquid meth seized in El Paso. 0:51. Traffic stop leads to drug . The Mexican Navy conducted the first drug bust on August 16 in Sinaloa, Mexico, which is home to the Sinaloa drug cartel the largest and most powerful drug trafficking organization in the world. BOSTON - A Weymouth man has been sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed prodigious amounts of cocaine from Puerto Rico, which he and a co-conspirator obtained via the U.S. mail. Friday night on, Senate Bill 2 would bring the pay of state Supreme Court justices in line with. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS }); googletag.cmd.push(function() { Declaration began March 11, 2020, and NM is one of five states that still have such orders. 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. 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'. A locked padlock Five additional suspects were also charged and remain at large. Showing 1 - 10 of 10919 results. Were going to be knocking on your doors soon its just a matter of time. An officer who works on a federal drug task force made a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle on Feb. 10. Submit Your Story By Sam Jackson Feb 19, 2022 An arrest and seizure of more than $1 million in street drugs in New Mexico resulted in no charges and the suspect being released, authorities said. }); As an anti-prohibition activist, it is interesting that these busts are being made. Largest Database of New Mexico Mugshots. 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. Counts 2, 5, 7, 9, and 11 charge certain defendants with use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The maximum penalty on conviction is up to four years in prison. 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 Cruz Lopez-Acevedo was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. googletag.cmd.push(function() { Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners. 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 crack cocaine (cocaine base) in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico from Oct. 2, 2019, to Feb. 25, 2020. This may be the biggest meth bust in American history . We are a perfect spot since our county borders Mexico, he said. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509. More than 17,500 pounds (7,930 kilograms) of meth and 389 pounds (176 kilograms) of fentanyl were discovered last Thursday hidden inside a tractor-trailer at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in [] Marshal in El Paso, Vigil said he is aware of how drug cartels are impacting the region. Charges unknown. We will do a few operations a year, we will look at some of the biggest problems or biggest threats in the area and we will go after those but then afterward were gone, but not this time, said DEA Special Agent Kyle Williamson. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Agents at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility in South Texas discovered 1,853 pounds of crystal meth on Dec. 19, in a shipment of fresh tomatoes from Mexico. 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. }); Officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) found a combined $61 million worth of methamphetamine and marijuana on Aug. 7, in two separate shipments of cactus and lime from Mexico at the Otay Mesa border crossing. googletag.cmd.push(function() { Several interstate highways connect Juarez to Albuquerque, the states largest city and a key distribution point for the heroin that pollutes much of the Land of Enchantment. The main target of this operation was the transportation infrastructure of the Mexican drug trafficking organizations in the United States, Gonzales said. googletag.enableServices(); He described one recent incident where deputies came across a group of 22 people in the desert, one of whom escaped from a prison in Ciudad Juarez and was wanted for a crime in the U.S. Five suspects also listed in the indictment, including the suspected leader of the organization, Luis Angel Briseo-Lopez, a Mexican national who may be living in Cuidad Jurez, remain at large. So, prohibition works to decrease small illegal drug sellers and to keep the biggest cartels on top. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Over 17 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of almost $600,000 was seized. Ryan Rodriguez allegedly acted as a mid-level cocaine distributor. On Oct. 9, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 3,000 pounds of meth, plus heroin and fentanyl, in a semi-trailer at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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.