Resources and Input
Policing, Borders, Drugs, Cartels
and System Corruption
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ARTICLES-NM DRUGS Daily Beast - Grant County Beat (Names of Publications, Magazines, Journals,
Newspaper)
By Date
2019
November-2019
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/
September-2019
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
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
August
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/
July
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-iidrug-force/1838084001/
February-2019
DEA
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
January-2019
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
2016
May-2016
Daily Times
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/
2013
August
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
BY PUBLICATION
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
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
for editing review
OTHER NM DRUG PAGES
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
Updates: 2022/06/12 some editing; 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
Articles D-H (Drugs-NM-2)
New Mexico Drugs
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1-Articles A-C
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2-Articles D-H
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3-Articles I-M
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4-Articles N-T
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5-Areas Found
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6-Agencies
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7-Drug Types
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8-Links