ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Cracking down on fentanyl use was the focus of a recent operation along Central Ave. where community members have sounded the alarm about the growing problem of rampant drug use, all out in the open. “We have to do something to slow down some of these issues that are occurring on Central,” said Chief Harold Medina with the Albuquerque Police Department.
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Last Thursday and Friday, APD lasered in on open fentanyl use on East Central from San Mateo to Wyoming after hearing over and over concerns from people and businesses in the area.
There were 109 total arrests with more than 60 for people with outstanding warrants and 32 were for possession of fentanyl and other drugs.
“We were looking at charging individuals misdemeanors to get them into misdemeanor court. We know it’s a strain on both the DA’s Office and the courts,” said Chief Medina.
Two of the most notable arrests include one suspect APD says was in possession of over 5,000 fentanyl pills, and another who was a member of an international trafficking organization.
“Drug trafficking organization that was determined to be international. This drug trafficking organization, we were able to work on that case with our federal partners. We believe that that case alone will have an impact on the fentanyl that is coming into the state,” said APD Deputy Chief George Vega.
In all, APD said they took more than 25,000 fentanyl pills off the Albuquerque streets.
APD said new resources in the crime lab are enabling them to test potential drugs faster, which means there’s a better chance of successfully prosecuting cases.
“Make sure that it does not fall back on us that we were unprepared for these cases to go forward and that they are dismissed because of the Albuquerque police department, that we are able to make this move and start moving forward,” said Medina.
APD said they will continue these operations and have as many as 40 officers patrolling east Central Ave. during certain hours.
