Law enforcement operation in Far East desert leads to arrest of 2 teenagers

Sheriff’s deputies arrested two teenagers in Far East El Paso while seizing a stolen handgun and various narcotics, officials with the sheriff’s office said.

On Friday, February 1, 2019, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office launched an operation to prevent underage drinking, gang activity and other illegal activity in the desert areas surrounding the Socorro ISD Student Activities Center.

El Paso Police, state police officers, Socorro Independent School District Police and the Precinct 6 Constables Office participated in the operation.

During the operation, deputies conducted a traffic stop on the 500 block of Lanner Street resulting in the arrest of two teenagers and the seizure of a handgun and various narcotics.

Damian Estrada, 17, was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana.

Joseph Banda, 17, was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on an outstanding criminal warrant for Theft of Firearm.