ALPINE – A Midland man pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to possess fentanyl and one count of illegal possession of a firearm. According to court documents, between August and October 2021, Edgar Parra, 36, sold a total of 112.3 grams of fentanyl to undercover DEA operatives on...

PHOENIX – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Cheri Oz is pleased to announce the launching of the second year of Operation Engage, a comprehensive community-level approach to address the drug epidemic through prevention strategies, facilitating conversations and collaboration with local partners. “DEA’s priority...

EL PASO – A Cuban national living in Fort Hancock was sentenced today to 460 months in prison for drugs, firearms and immigration crimes. On July 23, 2021, Gilberto Morales, 57, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to possess 1,000 kilograms or more of...

EL PASO – A Mexican national was sentenced today to life in prison for his role in the Sinaloa Cartel’s narcotics distribution operations. According to court documents, Arturo Shows Urquidi, aka “Chous,” 50, of Juarez, was a former Chihuahua State police officer and a long-time member of the Sinaloa Cartel...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jeffery Dean Biddle, 41, of Deming, New Mexico, made an initial appearance in federal court on March 2 facing charges of production and attempted production of child pornography, receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography, and enticement and attempted enticement. Biddle will remain in custody pending a...

PECOS – Yesterday, a New Mexico man was sentenced to 240 months in prison for importing and possessing methamphetamine and 60 months in prison for a firearm charge. According to court documents, Jarod Richard Melancon, 38, was arrested on May 5, 2021, after a federal search warrant was executed on...

EL PASO – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division has a new Special Agent in Charge (SAC). On Friday Feb. 18, 2022, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram named Greg Millard as the new SAC of the El Paso Division, which serves New Mexico and West Texas. Millard came to El...

PHOENIX - Jose Eleno Luna-Arellanes aka Carlos Luna Arellanes has been indicted on one count Conspiracy, one count of Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, and one count of Sale or Transportation for Sale of Dangerous Drugs (methamphetamine). According to the indictment, Luna-Arellanes is accused of being part of a drug trafficking...

EL PASO – On February 23, a Mexican national was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in a large marijuana conspiracy. According to court documents, Victor Gerardo Villegas, aka Victor Gerardo Villegas-Villalva, Gera, 34, of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, was a member of the Gente Nueva de...

PHOENIX - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Phoenix Police Department Mountain View Precinct Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) have arrested four subjects who were involved in the distribution large quantities of fake M30 pills, fentanyl powder, methamphetamine and heroin in the greater Phoenix area. The investigation into the drug...