EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Multiple New Mexico and federal law enforcement agencies disrupted a drug trafficking organization, seized over 12,000 fentanyl pills and arrested three people, according to the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Alamogordo on Thursday, April 17.
In August 2024, a drug trafficking organization was found to be operating in Otero and Lincoln counties and supplying fentanyl from Arizona, according to the District Attorney’s Office in Alamogordo.
Within a month, agents of the White Mountain Drug Task Force (WMDTF) identified and disrupted the organization’s operations, the DA’s Office said.
According to the DA’s Office, agents in Alamogordo executed nine search warrants, leading to the arrest of Pearl Guillez of Tularosa and Andrew Sullivan of Alamogordo.
During the arrest of Guillez and Sullivan, agents seized over 12,000 fentanyl pills and two firearms, one of which was stolen, according to the DA’s Office.
According to the DA’s Office, Sullivan and Guillez were turned over to federal custody and charged by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Both pleaded to federal drug trafficking charges. Sullivan was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, and Guillez was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison.
In addition to the seizure, agents identified Frank Chavez of Capitan, New Mexico, who was “utilized as a connect to Arizona to supply the illicit fentanyl to New Mexico,” the DA’s Office said.
Chavez also had warrants for his arrest out of Arizona, the DA’s Office said.
According to the DA’s Office, Lincoln County agents with the WMDTF, with help from the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Ruidoso Police, executed a high-risk search warrant at a residence in Capitan to arrest Chavez.
When agents arrived, Chavez refused to exit the residence. BORTAC then used flash bangs and an explosive breaching charge to remove the door, the DA’s Office said.
According to the DA’s Office, Chavez eventually surrendered and was taken into custody.
During the search of the residence Chavez was in, agents seized roughly 44 grams of fentanyl, according to the DA’s Office.
In addition, officers found a hollowed-out compartment under the rear seat of Chavez’s vehicle that may have been used to transport large quantities of illegal narcotics, the DA’s Office said.
According to the DA’s Office, Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking by possession with intent to distribute. On March 5, he was then sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections, followed by two years on probation and parole.
Upon release from the Department of Corrections, Chavez will face his charges in Arizona, the DA’s Office said.
The White Mountain Drug Task Force was comprised of agents from the Otero County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Alamogordo Police Department, Ruidoso Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.