Forty Charged in Drug and Firearm Investigation

One west Texas man and 39 others were arrested during an early morning law enforcement operation led by the DEA and the HIDTA Region VI Pecos Valley Drug Task Force for firearm and drug trafficking.

The charges against the 40 defendants come after a year-long investigation that initially targeted a methamphetamine trafficking organization allegedly led by Israel Mireles-Rivera that distributed quantities of methamphetamine throughout southeastern New Mexico and then expanded to include other drug trafficking activity in the area.

Mireles-Rivera, 32, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, was arrested in Carlsbad, N.M., on Oct. 17, 2013, based on a criminal complaint alleging methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges. At the time of his arrest, he allegedly was in possession of two firearms, and officers seized approximately 230 grams of methamphetamine, more than $8,000.00 and five additional firearms when they executed a search warrant at his residence.

Acting U.S. Attorney Steven C. Yarbrough said, “This investigation was a coordinated effort to crackdown on drug trafficking in southeastern New Mexico. It is part of our statewide fight against illegal drugs and the cycle of violence that goes hand in hand with drug trafficking. Those who choose to engage in drug trafficking should be on notice that federal, state, and local law enforcement are committed to working together to put you out of business and into a prison cell.”

During the course of the investigation and the law enforcement operation, officers seized more than five pounds of methamphetamine, approximately $53,400 and 24 firearms, including evidence seized during the arrests of Mireles-Rivera in Oct. 2013.