Man arrested after allegedly selling meth to undercover agent in Chaparral
CHAPARRAL, N.M. (KVIA) -- According to court documents obtained by ABC-7, John Daniel Gallegos, 36, faces charges after selling nearly over one kilogram of methamphetamine to an undercover agent.
Documents say that beginning in early 2026, Lac Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics and the FBI have had an ongoing investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating from Chihuahua, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, and southern New Mexico, involved in the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills.
Court documents say that in late August 2026, an undercover agent was in contact with an individual, later identified as Gallegos, via a messaging app to purchase one kilogram of methamphetamine.
Gallegos allegedly provided the undercover agent with an address to pick up the meth and also a Cash App account that was associated with Gallegos.
Court documents say Gallegos told the undercover agent to ask for "Daniel" at the address, as he would be conducting the transaction.
The undercover agent and Gallegos, according to court documents, agreed to meet at a parking lot instead of the previous address. The documents say agents established surveillance at the previous address and saw Gallegos walking around the property, then leaving on a motorcycle with a brown backpack and arriving at the parking lot.
Gallegos allegedly gave the brown backpack to the undercover agent through the window of the agent's car, where the agent retrieved two clear-taped bundles, suspected to be the methamphetamine.
Court documents say that the agent put $3,000 of official government funds in Gallegos's backpack in exchange for the drugs.
The drugs were later weighed and field-tested; court documents say the total gross weight of the positively tested methamphetamine was around 1,056 grams (1.056 kilograms).
An arrest warrant obtained by ABC-7 says that the FBI arrested Gallegos on October 1, 2026. Court records say Gallegos has been charged with Distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and Conspirancy to distribute a controlled substance.
Jail records say that Gallegos is being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center.
