Over 100 Arrested for Vice or Narcotics-Related Crimes around the New Mexico Expo State Fair Grounds
By Officer Tasia Martinez
APD detectives conducted several undercover operations on each day of this year’s NM State Fair, putting 131 suspects behind bars. APD Units including Vice, Gangs, Eastside Narcotics and Criminal Intelligence partnered daily to make a total of 53 prostitution arrests, 32 prostitution solicitation arrests, and 45 felony narcotics arrests. In addition, 14 felony warrants were cleared, 10 misdemeanor warrants were cleared and one subject was arrested for DWI. A total of 45 vehicles were towed in relation to the arrests that were made.
The saturation of police operations in the area surrounding the NM Expo Grounds is done yearly in conjunction with the NM State Fair. APD worked in close cooperation with New Mexico State Police and APD Vice also worked closely with other APD units, including Southeast and Northeast Area Command, SWAT and the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
Police historically see an influx of tourists and visitors in the area which results in an influx of criminal activity. The APD Vice Unit conducts annual operations in the area surrounding the fairgrounds to reduce prostitution and drug activity.
“Officers and detectives worked diligently through all hours of the day to minimize criminal activity in the area and provide a safe environment for the fairgoers and local residents” said Albuquerque Police Deputy Chief Paul Feist.
