The Albuquerque Police Department announced the takedown of a major drug operation in the metro area, which has potential ties to a Mexican drug cartel.
APD’s Central Narcotics Unit was investigating the large-scale drug trafficking organization for a number of days before making its move. Police recovered 15 firearms, 45,000 fentanyl pills, a pound of meth, 8 grams of crack, roughly $45,000 in cash and 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Police also seized two vehicles. Several of the firearms have been reported stolen.
“Today’s bust is the result of many hours of investigation and partnerships between APD’s narcotics detectives and our partners from the DEA, DEA Task Force members, our Electronic Support Unit, and the Gun Violence Reduction Unit,” APD Chief Harold Medina said at a news conference, per KRQE. “We also had support from Sandoval County’s K-9 Unit. This was an amazing team effort that helps us keep the pressure on the criminals who are driving drug trafficking and gun violence in the Metro area.”
Reynaldo Vargas and Gary Merino-Ramirez were arrested in connection to the seizure. Ashley Lucas and Oscar Maytorena-Barrera were also arrested. Vargas has an extensive criminal history with more than 52 felony arrests and a first-degree murder conviction.
APD said narcotics detectives had several undercover transactions with Merino-Ramirez, who went by the nickname "Demon."
Merino-Ramirez introduced undercover detectives to his primary supplier Reynaldo Vargas, who went by "Gumby," according to APD. He was described as the main person who runs the Albuquerque drug trade, Albuquerque police said.
Merino-Ramirez, Vargas, Lucas and Maytorena-Barrera are all facing federal drug trafficking charges along with weapons charges. Maytorena-Barrera has potential affiliations to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, according to APD.
He was arrested near a Walmart at San Mateo Boulevard and Claremont Avenue NE. Maytorena-Barrera was in possession of thousands of fentanyl pills and a loaded handgun that was reported as stolen.