'Operation Disruption' hits migrant stash houses in southern New Mexico
New Mexico State Police find 33 stash houses in Doña Ana, Luna counties
A recent crackdown by New Mexico State Police with other agencies targeting migrant smuggling groups resulted in more than a dozen arrests, 91 migrants rescued and the discovery of 33 stash houses in Doña Ana and Luna counties, officials said.
Borderland:Tren de Aragua: Venezuelan gang raises concerns on El Paso, Juárez border
"Operation Disruption" was intended to disrupt the activities of drug cartels and human trafficking groups in southern New Mexico counties along the state's border with Mexico, the governor's office said.
The desert in New Mexico to the west of El Paso, Texas, is a smuggling hot zone that has seen waves of heat-related deaths after migrants become lost. People smuggled over the border in New Mexico are often taken to stash houses in El Paso.
During the operation, nine people were found in the desert, including a female now recovering from a life-or-death situation, New Mexico authorities said.
Doña Ana County is north and west of El Paso. Luna County, whose county seat is Deming, is west of Doña Ana County.
Stash houses found in southern New Mexico
Operation Disruption took place over 12 days in August resulting in 16 arrests between Aug. 17-29 along with 735 traffic stops, 33 stash houses identified and the rescue of 91 migrants, the office of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news release.
"Operation Disruption is a clear demonstration of our commitment to saving lives and protecting the most vulnerable among us," Lujan Grisham said in a statement. "Thanks to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners, we have made our communities safer and sent a strong message to those who seek to exploit others.
"Let this be a warning to those who would traffic in human lives: New Mexico will not tolerate this reprehensible criminal behavior," the governor said. "We are coming after you, and when we find you, we will shut down your illegal operation and put you in jail."
New Mexico State Police worked in conjunction with the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, Las Cruces Police Department, Bureau of Land Management, Texas Department of Public Safety and authorities in Mexico.
What is the New Mexico Organized Crime Commission?
The New Mexico Organized Crime Commission was created in the 1970s but had been seldom implemented by the state's governors since that time, the governor's office said.
More:The life and legacy of 'Don Chuy.' Undercover El Paso Border Patrol agent mourned
In May 2023, Lujan Grisham reestablished the commission to bring together law enforcement and judicial expertise as a tool to "take a sophisticated approach" to study public safety issues and fight drug cartels and other organized crime.
The commission is made up of seven members appointed by the governor and approved by the senate. The commission chairman is Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
No comments:
Post a Comment