Hundreds of pounds of illegal substances seized
MCKINLEY COUNTY — Two men were arrested after New Mexico State Police located and seized over 500 pounds of illegal substances ranging from magic mushrooms to Fentanyl while searching a commercial motor vehicle at the Gallup Port of Entry on Jan. 21.
A New Mexico State Police officer conducted a safety inspection about 7:57 am on a 2012 Volvo. During the inspection, the officer discovered seventeen black duffel bags, three cardboard boxes, two plastic totes, and a trash bag inside the cab of the truck and trailer. The officer also smelled what seemed to be marijuana coming from the trailer.
New Mexico State Police officers located 489.5 pounds of marijuana, 2.5 pounds of Fentanyl, 23.5 pounds of cocaine, 28.5 pounds of THC edibles, and one pound of psychedelic mushrooms concealed inside the duffle bags, plastic totes, cardboard boxes, and trash bag.
Two handguns, located inside the cab of the vehicle, were also seized.
The driver, Brandon Ammon Johnson, 39, of Laplace, La., and passenger, Terrance Colin Hicks Jr., 46, of Houston, Texas, were both arrested without incident and booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center.
Johnson was charged with the following:
Trafficking controlled substances-Cocaine (by distribution or sale of narcotic drug – first offense) 30-31-20(A)(2) & (B)(1), a second-degree felony
Trafficking controlled substances-Fentanyl (by distribution or sale of narcotic drug – first offense) 30-31-20(A)(2) & (B)(1), a second-degree felony
Distribution of Marijuana over 100 pounds (1st offense) 30-31-22(A)(1)(C), a third-degree felony
Distribution of a controlled substance Schedule I-IV –Psychedelic mushroom, first offense, 30-31-22(A)(2)(a), a third-degree felony
Hicks was charged with the following:
Trafficking controlled substances-Cocaine (by distribution or sale of narcotic drug – first offense) 30-31-20(A)(2) & (B)(1), a second-degree felony
Trafficking controlled substances-Fentanyl (by distribution or sale of narcotic drug – first offense) 30-31-20(A)(2) & (B)(1), a second-degree felony
Distribution of Marijuana over 100 pounds (first offense) 30-31-22(A)(1)(C), a third-degree felony
Distribution of a controlled substance Schedule I-IV –Psychedelic mushroom, first offense, 30-31-22(A)(2)(a), a third-degree felony
Possession of firearm or destructive device by a felon, 30-7-16, a fourth-degree felony
No information about court dates has been set.
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