By KRWG News
Las Cruces – A multi-agency task force, including the Las Cruces-Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency and New Mexico State Police narcotics, has arrested 45 individuals in the past two days on felony narcotics charges.
The arrests are the culmination of a six-month investigation by Metro Narcotics, an agency that includes officers from the Las Cruces Police Department, the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office and the narcotics unit from New Mexico State Police.
Most of the 45 individuals arrested face felony charges related to trafficking cocaine or distributing marijuana. A handful of warrants still remain outstanding, and investigators believe those individuals will be located and detained in the very near future. Three other individuals were charged with misdemeanor narcotics offenses and three were picked up on outstanding warrants.
"The apprehension of these drug dealers will put a significant dent in the distribution of narcotics in Dona Ana County and will make our streets a bit safer for all of us," said Metro Narcotics Sgt. Mike Alba.
The majority of the arrests were made during the early morning hours of Friday, Dec. 3, at homes throughout Dona Ana County.
Other law enforcement agencies that participated in the roundup included the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Office and the Hatch Police Department.