DPS News:
SANTA FE — A joint law enforcement operation removed an alleged armed drug dealer off the streets after investigators said he used social media to sell firearms and narcotics, including to at least one juvenile.
“We will not tolerate criminals who peddle deadly drugs and illegal firearms in our communities—especially when they target our children,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “This arrest reflects our commitment to using every resource at the state’s disposal, including the Organized Crime Commission, to dismantle these dangerous networks and keep New Mexicans safe.”
The August 7 arrest of Joseph Montoya, also known as High Rolla, was the result of a coordinated investigation by the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission (OCC), the New Mexico State Police (NMSP), and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO).
Undercover agents purchased drugs from Montoya on multiple occasions and a firearm on one occasion, leading to charges of:
- Three counts of trafficking a controlled substance
- One count of conspiracy to commit trafficking a controlled substance
- One count of tampering with evidence
The OCC through the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, has filed a preventative detention motion to keep Montoya in custody pending trial.
DPS Cabinet Secretary Jason R. Bowie praised the unified law enforcement response.
“This case underscores the power of coordinated law enforcement partnerships in protecting our communities from dangerous individuals who traffic in guns and drugs,” Bowie said. “I commend the Governor’s Organized Crime Commission, the State Police, and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office for their dedication to this investigation. Their teamwork ensured that a dangerous offender is no longer in a position to harm our youth or our neighborhoods.”
Organized Crime Commission Director Rob Hart emphasized the collaborative strategy.
“This case is a textbook example of what happens when agencies break down silos and work together toward a common mission,” Rob Hart said, director of the Organized Crime Commission. “By sharing intelligence and resources, we are disrupting organized criminal activity and sending a clear message: if you prey on New Mexicans, we will find you and we will bring you to justice.”
The Department of Public Safety remains committed to working alongside state, local, and federal partners to combat organized crime and protect New Mexico’s communities.