LAS CRUCES, NM – Cipriano Anaya, 35, of Roswell, New Mexico, is headed to federal prison for nearly a decade. Anaya was sentenced today to 108 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to methamphetamine trafficking charges. The sentence marks a significant, though slow, victory in a sprawling case that began back in 2015.
Anaya was one of 41 individuals snared in a massive, eight-month investigation spearheaded by the FBI, DEA, Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, Roswell Police Department, Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police. Twenty-one faced federal charges, while another twenty were hit with state-level crimes. This wasn’t some small-time operation; it was a concerted effort to dismantle a major drug pipeline flooding Chaves County.
The investigation initially zeroed in on Joseph Ray Mendiola, 35, of Roswell, and his drug trafficking organization (DTO). But the scope quickly broadened to include those supplying Mendiola and other players in the region. Designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, the operation leveraged the combined resources of multiple agencies – a clear indication of the seriousness with which federal authorities viewed this threat.
A 24-count indictment filed September 22, 2015, laid out the case against Anaya and 15 other federal defendants. The core charge – conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine between June and July 2015 – alleged a widespread agreement to push the drug throughout the county. Additional charges included cocaine conspiracy and using communication devices, specifically telephones, to facilitate the illegal trade. The indictment detailed how these individuals allegedly operated in the shadows, using everyday tools to fuel a dangerous enterprise.
Law enforcement didn’t just rely on surveillance and informants. They hit hard with a series of 14 federal search warrants, targeting 10 residences in Roswell, one in Dexter, NM, and three vehicles. The results were substantial: approximately 5600 grams of methamphetamine, $35,960.00 in cash, and multiple firearms, including two assault rifles. This wasn’t just about drugs; it was about the tools of the trade and the potential for violence.
Anaya ultimately pled guilty on August 26, 2016, admitting to his role in the methamphetamine conspiracy and his use of a telephone to further the criminal activity. Twelve of his co-defendants have also entered guilty pleas and await sentencing. However, three remain at large, considered fugitives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy M. Castellano and John Balla are handling the prosecution. The investigation underscores the persistent threat of drug trafficking in New Mexico and the ongoing efforts to dismantle these networks, one arrest – and one sentence – at a time.
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- Deming Meth Kingpin Given Decade Behind Bars · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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