Multi-Agency Effort Nets 30 Arrests

Carlsbad, NM – On the 2nd and 3rd of August 2023, law enforcement personnel from several local, state and federal agencies, including the Eddy County Sheriffs Office, the Carlsbad Police Department, the Artesia Police Department, the Pecos Valley Drug - High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Marshals Service executed multiple arrests in Eddy County and surrounding communities. This operation was executed in connection with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCEDTF) operation in this same area on August 1st.

During this operation, thirteen total federal arrest warrants were served and seventeen state felony arrest warrants were served. Charges for the state warrants ranged from kidnapping, armed robbery, robbery and possession with intent to distribute (various narcotics).

One state warrant culminated in the service and execution of a search warrant, where seven firearms and 1700 fentanyl (170 grams) pills were seized. Chris Garcia, originally charged with a state warrant for felon in possession of a firearm, was subsequently charged federal with the new firearms and narcotics offense. A total of eight firearms and 1800 fentanyl pills were seized.

“These type of operations have a powerful impact on our community and these partnerships, between federal and local law enforcement continue to keep our citizens safer and able to live their lives as best they can. This is an opportunity for us make a strong statement to the criminal element in our county,” said Mark Cage. “As I’ve said before,” he continued, ‘Not on my watch and not in my County.’”

“It is our role to do all we can to bring public safety resources to our communities, particularly to our more rural counties,” said Sonya K. Chavez, U.S. Marshals Service, District of New Mexico, “We are sending repeated messages to the violent offenders in New Mexico that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated and we will bring them to justice.” she added.

The United States Marshals Service, as the first Federal Law Enforcement Agency in the United States (1789) continues to serve our Nation in unseen, but critical missions to include protecting the Federal Judicial process, managing seized assets (acquired by criminals, thru illegal means), housing and transporting federal prisoners and enforcement operations. By combining the resources of multiple agencies, the identification, investigation and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community, is accomplished while ensuring the application of equal Justice, Integrity, and Service for all.