FBI-led raids focus on gangs, drug trafficking in Albuquerque

Summary

The FBI's Violent Gang Task Force recently executed 16 federal search warrants in Albuquerque, targeting drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and gang violence. They seized millions in cash, fentanyl pills, firearms, grenades, and meth, arresting five suspects. One of the arrests involved a member of the Sureños 13 gang, linked to recent murders. The investigation revealed a connection to the Sinaloa cartel and an ongoing effort by the SNM prison gang to eliminate informants. This operation is part of a broader effort to curb violent crime and drug trade across New Mexico and beyond.

Takeaways

• 😀 The FBI's Violent Gang Task Force is investigating serious crimes including drug dealing, gun smuggling, and the killing of informants in Albuquerque.
• 😀 On the previous day, the FBI executed 16 federal search warrants across Albuquerque, recovering millions of dollars in cash, drugs, and weapons.
• 😀 Over $3 million in cash, more than a million fentanyl pills, 37 firearms, grenades, and over 140 pounds of meth were seized in the operation.
• 😀 The operation was a collaborative effort, involving FBI, DEA agents, and local law enforcement from various agencies.
• 😀 The FBI targeted multiple gang operations, including the notorious prison gang S-N-M, which is linked to violent crime and trafficking.
• 😀 Five suspects were arrested, with one facing federal charges and four facing state charges; all of them have extensive criminal histories.
• 😀 The FBI emphasized that with these large seizures, they aim to reduce crime in the short term by removing dangerous drugs and firearms from the streets.
• 😀 The operation also disrupted a local gang that was working with a prison gang to smuggle drugs and guns into Albuquerque.
• 😀 Jesse Young, a suspected member of the Sureños 13 gang, was arrested and charged with federal drug crimes and suspected involvement in murders related to the gang.
• 😀 The FBI's investigation reveals that the SNM prison gang's primary goal is to eliminate those who try to testify against them, including informants.
• 😀 This operation marks the fifth major crackdown by the FBI on the SNM prison gang in recent years, underlining their ongoing focus on dismantling violent organizations in New Mexico.

Q & A

What crimes are being investigated by the FBI's Violent Gang Task Force in Albuquerque?

The FBI's Violent Gang Task Force is investigating drug dealing, gun smuggling, and the killing of informants.

How many federal search warrants were served in Albuquerque, and what did the authorities recover?

16 federal search warrants were served, and authorities recovered over $3 million in cash, more than a million fentanyl pills, 37 firearms, grenades, and over 140 pounds of meth.

Which gangs are involved in the drug trafficking network in New Mexico?

Several gangs in New Mexico are involved, including the notorious S-N-M prison gang, and another local gang working with them to traffic drugs and firearms.

What locations in Albuquerque were most affected by the search operation?

The search operation mainly targeted properties in southeast and southwest Albuquerque.

What was the significance of the FBI operation according to the agents involved?

FBI agents stated that the operation was part of a broader effort to ensure community safety, aiming to reduce crime by taking significant pieces of the drug trade off the streets.

What was the outcome of the operation in terms of arrests?

Five suspects were arrested, with one facing federal charges and four facing state charges. All 15 target subjects had extensive criminal backgrounds.

How many people are still not in custody despite the operation?

At least two people involved in the operation are not yet in custody.

What was the focus of the investigation into Jesse Young, a suspect arrested during the operation?

Jesse Young, a suspected member of the Sureños 13 gang, is facing federal drug charges and is also suspected of being involved in the murders of two SNM members last month.

Why was a long-time SNM member murdered, according to the FBI?

The FBI claims the SNM member was murdered because he was not killing informants, which was seen as a betrayal to the gang's mission.

What impact does the FBI believe this operation will have on crime in the region?

The FBI hopes that by removing drugs and firearms from the streets, the operation will lead to a reduction in crime, at least in the short term.