Las Cruces man sentenced to more than 10 years in fentanyl trafficking case

Orangie Lee Fisher, 37, pleaded guilty after agents recovered 1,000 fentanyl pills and a stolen handgun

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces man will serve more than 10 years in federal prison following an investigation into a fentanyl trafficking operation in southern New Mexico.

According to court records, the FBI’s Southern New Mexico Safe Streets Gang Task Force, Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics and the Las Cruces Police Department began investigating the operation in early 2024. The investigation identified Orangie Lee Fisher, 37, as a key participant.

On April 3, 2024, agents executed a federal search warrant at a room Fisher occupied at the Imperial Sky Motel in Las Cruces. Inside the room and his vehicle, agents recovered about 600 grams of suspected marijuana, $5,693 in cash, firearms magazines and ammunition.

Agents later conducted controlled drug purchases at Fisher’s Las Cruces residence. On Oct. 4, 2024, Metro Narcotics agents executed a state search warrant at the home, where Fisher was present.

During the search, Fisher initially ignored commands and fled into a bedroom before surrendering. Approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills were found throughout the residence, and a stolen handgun wrapped in a latex glove was recovered from a bedroom closet.

When interviewed at the scene, Fisher denied living there and denied any knowledge of the drugs or firearm.

Fisher pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

After his prison term, he will serve five years of supervised release.

The FBI’s Las Cruces Resident Agency investigated with assistance from Metro Narcotics, the Las Cruces Police Department, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo prosecuted.