Fentanyl seized during recent three-day crime-fighting operation in Bernalillo County. Courtesy/NMSP

Items seized during recent three-day crime-fighting operation in Bernalillo County. Courtesy/NMSP

NMSP News:

ALBUQUERQUE — During a three-day operation in Bernalillo County aimed at disrupting criminal activity associated with violent crime, narcotics and auto theft, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Crime Suppression Bureau and 2nd District Attorney’s Office joined forces to apprehend fugitives from justice and substantially impact crime.

At around 11 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, Alex Corral Valdez, 25, sold fentanyl to undercover narcotics agents. During his apprehension, he took off running from the agents and discarded a stolen firearm as he ran away.

After a short foot pursuit, he was taken into custody. Two other individuals  with Valdez at the time attempted to flee from agents in a vehicle. That vehicle was also determined to be stolen. Arriana Velasquez, 23, and Simon Sena, 44, were both taken into custody and the stolen vehicle recovered.

The three were booked into the Metro Detention Center:

• • • • • • Alex Corral Valdez was charged with Trafficking Fentanyl, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Resisting/Evading a Police Officer, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
          • Arianna Velasquez was charged with Receiving or Transferring a Stolen Vehicle, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and she had an outstanding warrant for Receiving or Transferring a Stolen Vehicle.
          • Simon Sena was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and had two outstanding warrants for Probation Violations on charges related to Battery of a Household Member.

“The strong partnership between Bernalillo County District Attorney Special Agents and New Mexico State Police continues to take violent people off the streets, making our community safer,” Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said.

The three-day operation conducted Feb. 20-22 concluded with the following enforcement on criminal activity totals:

• • • • • • 16 Felony Arrests
          • 6 Recovered Stolen Vehicles
          • 2 Seized Firearms (1 of which was stolen)
          • 1 Recovered Stolen Motorcycle
          • 60 Traffic Stops
          • 35 Traffic Citations
          • 40 grams Fentanyl Seized
          • .4 grams Meth Seized
          • $10,000 in Cash

“As long as Bernalillo County continues to be plagued by violent crime, my officers will be out there proactively working to protect this community,” NMSP Chief Troy Weisler said. “Thanks to the great working relationship we have with the 2nd DA’s Office, we continue to come together to take guns, drugs and repeat offenders off our streets.”

NMSP will continue to work closely with the 2nd District Attorney’s Office to combat crime in the Metro Area and Bernalillo County.

This operation was conducted with the assistance of the New Mexico State Police Investigations, Special Operations, and Uniform Bureaus.

Follow the New Mexico State Police on all social media @NMStatePolice.