Thread: Police: Cartels involved in N.M. drug trade

Police: Cartels involved in N.M. drug trade

LAS CRUCES — Southern New Mexico law enforcement agencies say drug investigations in Doña Ana County are related to two Mexican drug cartels.

Authorities have confiscated more than $400,000 in four separate seizures as they investigate Mexican drug- and weapons-trafficking organizations.

Metro Narcotics Sgt. Bobby Holden says a narcotics agent and a sheriff's deputy with guns drawn stopped a Mexico-bound car on N.M. 273 in Sunland Park last week.

Holden says they found four men with two handguns and $40,000 in cash hidden in a floor compartment.

He says the men are being detained. Their names and citizenship have not been released.

Holden says cartels are conducting "obvious" forays into the local drug trade.

He says every bit of cocaine or marijuana that's sold comes from them, directly or indirectly.

Staff and wire reports

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/newsbriefs/

Authorities: Cartels working in Dona Ana CountySun News Report
Posted: 09/30/2010 01:15:34 AM MDT

LAS CRUCES - Authorities confirmed Wednesday that two Mexican drug cartels have made their way into southern Doña Ana County.

An ongoing investigation into Mexican drug- and weapons-trafficking organizations has resulted in four seizures totaling more than $400,000, authorities said.

The investigation is "absolutely ... related to two drug cartels operating out of Juárez," Doña Ana County sheriff's investigator Bo Nevarez said.

Most recently, $40,000 in U.S. currency was seized in an overnight operation targeting a Mexico-bound car the night of Sept. 23.

Metro Narcotics agent Luis Rios and Doña Ana sheriff's Deputy Jacob Ballard conducted a guns-drawn stop at mile marker 3 of N.M. 273, McNutt Road, in Sunland Park, Metro Narcotics Sgt. Bobby Holden said.

Inside, they found four Hispanic males armed with two handguns and the cash, hidden in a floor compartment on the passenger side of the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Holden said.

The four Hispanic males inside are detained at an undisclosed location and are not being publicly identified by name or citizenship, Holden said. Prosecution is pending.

"Every bit of cocaine or marijuana that's sold comes from them - directly or indirectly - comes from the cartels," Holden said. "We want to let the public know that all the law enforcement agencies here are actively trying to disrupt the drug trafficking."

He added, "It would be, in my opinion, foolish to say they're not operating here."

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While signature acts of cartel violence and killings, the type seen by the dozens every day just over the border in Juárez, have yet to bleed into Doña Ana County, cartels are conducting "obvious" forays into the local drug trade, Holden said.
"They're here," he said. "They've been here for a long time."

Investigation is ongoing by federal law enforcement, New Mexico State Police, Doña Ana Sheriff's Department, Las Cruces Police Department and Metro Narcotics.

Anyone wanting to report drug activity can call the drug tip line at (575) 521-DRUG (3784)
http://www.scsun-news.com/ci_16213358