U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez | U.S. Department of Justice
An Albuquerque man, Jerry Bezie, has admitted guilt to federal charges of drug trafficking and firearms possession. This plea comes after a significant raid by the FBI SWAT team on March 23, 2023, at his residence in the South Valley. The operation led to the seizure of over 16 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 11,400 grams of fentanyl pills, multiple firearms, ammunition, and other items linked to drug trafficking.
Bezie acknowledged possessing these substances with intent to distribute and conceded that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from having firearms. He agreed to forfeit several items including various firearms such as a Glock 19 9mm pistol and a Steyr-Daimler Puch Aug/SA .223 caliber rifle. Other forfeited items include ammunition, vehicles like a 2006 Hummer vehicle and cash amounting to approximately $64,333.93.
The investigation also connected Bezie with Julian Leyba; both were implicated in supplying fentanyl along Central Avenue in Albuquerque. During the same period when Bezie's home was raided, Leyba's residence in Northeast Albuquerque was searched by the FBI where six firearms were discovered despite no drugs being found. Leyba later pleaded guilty on May 2, 2024, for being a felon in possession of firearms and received a sentence of 70 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
Bezie is facing severe penalties at sentencing including mandatory terms totaling up to 120 months imprisonment plus potential life imprisonment and supervised release not less than four years. He may also incur fines reaching $5 million or double any financial gains made from his crimes.
This announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrinand alongside Raul Bujanda from the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) with support from local law enforcement agencies including the Albuquerque Police Department.
