Carlsbad Meth Dealer Back in the Crosshairs

ALBUQUERQUE – Jason Cunningham, 46, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, is facing a fresh wave of federal charges after authorities say he continued dealing drugs even while under court supervision. The bust, a stark reminder that parole isn’t a shield for criminals, uncovered a significant quantity of narcotics at his residence.

On September 3, 2025, agents with the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force stormed Cunningham’s Carlsbad home, executing a search warrant. What they found wasn’t a home, but a stash house. Inside, investigators seized approximately 1,090 grams of methamphetamine and 56 grams of cocaine – enough to poison a community. Cunningham is now charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is being held without bail pending trial.

If convicted, Cunningham faces a brutal sentence: a minimum of 10 years in federal prison, with the potential for a life behind bars. This isn’t his first rodeo; he was previously sentenced to 87 months in prison for a 2017 drug conviction, proving a lengthy sentence doesn’t always deter repeat offenders. He was on supervised release at the time of his latest arrest, meaning he violated the terms of his freedom and allegedly returned to a life of crime.

“Traffickers see only profit, but what they leave behind are broken families and endangered communities,” declared Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “These charges reflect our determination to dismantle the networks that exploit addiction and threaten public safety. That work is only possible because of the extraordinary cooperation between federal, state, tribal and local partners who stand together against those who traffic misery.”

Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso, hammered home the severity of the situation. “Methamphetamine is one of the most destructive narcotics on the street. This type of crime is an assault on public health and safety, and individuals such as Cunningham profit off human misery.” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is working with its partners to choke off the supply chains fueling this destruction and bring perpetrators to justice.

Eddy County Undersheriff Mark Cage emphasized the local impact and the power of collaboration. “The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force value our relationships with our federal partners,” Cage stated. “The Cunningham case investigation and very successful prosecution are a testament to the teamwork it takes to ensure the safety and security of our citizens in Eddy County. Our message is clear: drug trafficking and lawlessness will not be tolerated!” The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is a combined effort of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, Artesia Police Department, and the Bureau of Land Management, operating under the umbrella of the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Camacho.

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