David De La Paz, Federal Drug Trafficking, New Mexico 2026

Las Cruces Man Charged in Federal Drug Trafficking Case

A Las Cruces man has been federally charged with drug trafficking and firearms offenses after an FBI-led investigation resulted in the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and multiple firearms.

According to court documents, David De La Paz, 59, was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force and the Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency for his involvement in narcotics distribution and illegal firearm possession in Las Cruces, beginning in late 2025.

On February 3, 2026, investigators obtained a federal search warrant for De La Paz’s residence, which was executed on February 5, 2026, with assistance from the FBI Albuquerque SWAT team.

During the search, agents recovered multiple loaded firearms, most of which were located in De La Paz’s bedroom, as well as drug paraphernalia and suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, and 30 grams of cocaine, which field-tested presumptively positive.

De La Paz is charged with possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

He will remain detained pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, De La Paz faces 25 years in prison.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

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