Troubled Albuquerque motel targeted for closure

A troubled Albuquerque motel that has drawn scorn for attracting drug trafficking and prostitution is being targeted by the city of Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announced Monday that city officials have begun the process to declare the Sahara Motel as a public nuisance.

Keller says the Sahara Motel has been a crime hotspot for far too long.

Officials say since October 2017, the property has had 22 calls for service ranging from suspicious person calls, to shots fired to domestic disturbances.

The city is seeking a court order to close the property in southeastern Albuquerque amid a pending lawsuit.

The Sahara Motel did not immediately return a phone message.