United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque drug trafficker who amassed an arsenal of firearms, including machinegun conversion devices, and hundreds of grams of methamphetamine and fentanyl has been sentenced to nearly 29 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, on July 6, 2024, Deundalas Gales, 37, was driving at a high rate of speed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when he crashed into another vehicle. Immediately after the crash, Gales fired approximately 25 rounds toward the other vehicle from a handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device. Although the other vehicle sustained multiple gunshots, the other driver was fortunately not struck. Gales then fled the scene on foot, abandoning the vehicle that contained 447.1 grams of methamphetamine with 99% purity, and a stolen shotgun. As he fled, Gales dropped the firearm with the conversion device, his wallet and other personal belongings that allowed investigators to eventually identify him.

On July 13, 2024, officers responded to reports that Gales was breaking into a neighbor’s apartment and setting fire to his own apartment. Officers found Gales bleeding, wearing body armor and holding a loaded firearm magazine. After safely detaining him, Albuquerque Police Department officers entered his smoke-filled apartment to check for occupants and observed firearms and fentanyl pills in plain view.

Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for the apartment and recovered 216.5 net grams of fentanyl, 892.7 net grams of methamphetamine, five firearms, a black powder revolver, approximately 500 rounds of ammunition, digital scales and multiple firearm magazines.

During the investigation, detectives also searched Gales vehicle that was parked at the apartment. Investigators recovered approximately 204 grams of fentanyl, 112.8 net grams of methamphetamine and five additional firearms, including a machinegun conversion device.

As a previously convicted felon with prior convictions for assault, aggravated robbery, and possession of a controlled substance, Gales was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Gales pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, unlawful possession of a machinegun and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Upon his release from prison, Gales will be subject to five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Special Agent in Charge Robert “Eric” Castañeda of the Drug Enforcement Administration and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico prosecuted this case.