APD makes multiple arrests in Social Media Drug Operation
May 10, 2021
APD Narcotics detectives arrested 10 people during a month-long social media drug operation. The purpose of the operation was to target illicit drug sales being conducted through social media platforms.
Detectives targeted narcotics sales conducted over social media because these types of transactions have led to several recent robberies, shootings and homicides.
APD worked with the Drug Enforcement Agency and New Mexico State Police to purchase narcotics on various social media platforms to initiate contact and begin investigating drug traffickers.
“We identified a trend that was driving violent crime, and we are going after these offenders to put a stop to this activity,” APD Chief Harold Medina said. “We want to highlight these arrests to let people know we are watching and we are taking action.”
The arrest warrants were generated from online and in person investigations that detectives conducted. Central Narcotics were able to interface with some offenders several times prior to obtaining a warrant. In some cases, some of the individuals who were arrested on warrants written by the Narcotics Unit, picked up additional charges due to drugs in their possession upon arrest.
Results:
- 16 Arrest warrants for trafficking a controlled substance
- 11 warrants cleared
- 5 Arrests on new charges. These are new charges which were generated from warrant apprehension
- 2,976 Fentanyl Pills seized
- 86 grams of methamphetamines
- 15 grams of cocaine
- 2 hand guns seized
- 3 search warrants
- $7,700 seized