EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Two people have been arrested by New Mexico State Police officers in connection with hiding undocumented migrants at a stash house in Las Cruces, according to NSMP.
On Friday, March 12, an NMSP officer made a traffic stop on Interstate 10 west of Las Cruces.
The occupants of the vehicle displayed signs of “nervous behavior” and made “inconsistent statements,” State Police officials said.
Photos courtesy of NM State Police
The officer asked the driver, later identified as Albert Torres, 40, to exit the vehicle because he didn’t have a valid driver’s license. The officer then observed drug paraphernalia fall from the lap of Torres as he exited the vehicle, according to State Police.
Torres was then detained.
A woman passenger, identified as Victoria Cabrales, 37, began reaching under her seat. She was also asked to exit the vehicle, according to State Police.
During a search of Torres, the officer found “suspected” methamphetamine on him, State Police said. Torres was also found to be a convicted felon, according to State Police
Cabrales then asked to return to the vehicle to retrieve her phone. The officer walked back to the vehicle with her and that’s when the officer saw a handgun between the center console and the passenger seat, State Police said.
The firearm had been reported stolen, and Cabrales was then taken into custody, according to State Police.
Torres and Cabrales told the officer there was food in the vehicle they were taking to a residence in Las Cruces. They then told State Police that the people at this home were undocumented and would not answer the door because it was a stash house.
They also said there may be more firearms at the residence as well.
A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and for the residence. The vehicle search revealed two firearms and more methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, State Police said.
The search of the residence revealed 16 undocumented migrants that were locked in a room with no food, water, or communication device, State Police said.
U.S. Border Patrol was contacted to take custody of the migrants. Both Torres and Cabrales were transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center. The charges they are facing include receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, attempt to commit a felony and receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm.
