Las Cruces gang investigation leads to federal charges, seizure of guns and drugs
A multi-agency gang investigation in Las Cruces led to federal and state charges, the seizure of 19 firearms and large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Authorities said the months-long investigation also helped solve 11 drive-by shootings in the Las Cruces area
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - A months-long investigation into violent gang activity in Las Cruces led to federal and state charges, the seizure of firearms and narcotics and the clearance of multiple violent crimes, authorities announced Friday.
The investigation was led by the Las Cruces Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit in partnership with the Las Cruces/Doña Ana Metro Narcotics Agency, the FBI, the Safe Streets Task Force and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said officers executed about 58 search warrants, arrest warrants and court orders totaling more than 800 pages.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of 19 firearms, three machine gun conversion devices, two sets of body armor, about 265 grams of methamphetamine and about 200 grams of fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
Information developed during the investigation also helped investigators solve 11 drive-by shootings in the Las Cruces area, authorities said.
Six defendants charged federally
Federal prosecutors charged six defendants as part of Summer Heat, an FBI initiative targeting violent crime during the summer.
The federal charges include:
- Possession of a firearm in a school zone
- Discharging a firearm in a school zone
- Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number
- Receiving a firearm while under indictment
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
- Possession of body armor by a violent felon
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
Additional defendants were charged in state court with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a handgun by a person younger than 19 and possession of cocaine.
Authorities did not release the names of those charged because the investigation remains ongoing and additional enforcement actions are expected.
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