The New Mexico Organized Crime Commission, established by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and led by Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, has released its annual report for 2024. The report highlights significant achievements in disrupting criminal organizations across the state during its first year of operation.
The Commission's efforts over the past year have included multiple successful operations targeting human trafficking, drug trafficking, and the illegal firearms trade. The report emphasizes the need for additional resources to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal networks operating in New Mexico.
Governor Lujan Grisham stated, "Criminal organizations have infiltrated our communities, but with the right strategy and appropriate resources, we can continue to disrupt their operations and make New Mexico safer for all." She urged state lawmakers to review the report and provide necessary funding to support the Commission's work.
Among the key achievements of the Commission in 2024 are:
- Rescuing over 200 migrants from human trafficking organizations through "Operation Disruption," a coordinated effort involving more than 20 federal, state, and international law enforcement agencies.
- Shutting down ten illegal massage parlors involved in human trafficking operations and seizing approximately $90,000 in illegal proceeds.
- Assisting with dismantling major illegal cannabis operations, including seizing and destroying about 160,000 pounds of illegal cannabis valued at an estimated $200 million.
- Identifying key fentanyl trafficking routes into New Mexico, revealing that most illegal fentanyl enters through Arizona and Texas rather than the southern border.
- Disrupting numerous human trafficking stash houses across the state through coordinated law enforcement operations.
- Opening investigations against Tren De Aragua, a dangerous Venezuelan gang responsible for significant amounts of human trafficking, drug trafficking, and gun smuggling throughout the country.
Sam Bregman expressed pride in the Commission's work: "I’m very proud of the Commission’s work, including its aggressive approach to fighting the cartels in human trafficking, fentanyl, and cannabis. Our success shows what we can accomplish when law enforcement agencies work together to combat organized crime."
To build on its first-year success, the Organized Crime Commission is requesting a special appropriation of $4.5 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This funding would allow for expanding its team to include ten full-time employees such as special agents and intelligence analysts. It would also cover essential travel expenses for cross-jurisdictional operations and establish a centralized intelligence center under the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.
Additionally, the Commission recommends updates to state laws to strengthen human trafficking statutes and address gaps in firearms legislation to better combat criminal organizations operating within New Mexico.
