Synthetic Cannabinoid Traffickers, Destroyed Drug Paraphernalia, New Mexico 2023

Drug Traffickers’ Tools Destroyed in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – In a move to disrupt the synthetic cannabinoid trafficking ring operating in New Mexico and west Texas, federal and city officials gathered at the City of Albuquerque’s Cerro Colorado Landfill to witness the destruction of drug paraphernalia valued at more than $220,000.

The destruction of the drug paraphernalia was coordinated by U.S. Marshal Conrad E. Candelaria and the U.S. Marshals Service, which serves as the primary custodian of seized and forfeited property for the asset forfeiture program.

“The federal asset forfeiture laws are used to remove financial incentives from crime by depriving criminals of the cash and other assets they rely upon to facilitate their illegal activity,” said Marshal Candelaria. “The money generated from the sale of forfeited assets is used to compensate victims, supplement funding for law enforcement crime fighting initiatives, and support community programs.”

Marshal Candelaria was joined by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, whose office prosecuted the criminal cases and litigated the civil forfeiture cases generated by the investigations, and Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry, who made the resources of the City’s Solid Waste Management Department available to destroy and bury the drug paraphernalia. Also participating were DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean R. Waite and FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derek A. Fuller, whose agencies conducted the investigations resulting in the seizure and forfeiture of the drug paraphernalia.

“When we forfeited the drug paraphernalia destroyed today, we took away the tools of the trade used by drug traffickers to perpetuate crime in our communities and we shut down businesses that served as fronts for drug trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Martinez. “The asset forfeiture laws enable us to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that would continue to function if we only focused our efforts on prosecuting those arrested during our investigations.”

The drug paraphernalia destroyed today was seized pursuant to federal search and seizure warrants from smoke shops that operated in Albuquerque, Hobbs, Ruidoso, and west Texas. The paraphernalia included thousands of bongs, “crack” pipes, and other glassware used to ingest illegal narcotics as well as packaging material. In addition to the drug paraphernalia, proceeds from the illegal sale of synthetic cannabinoids and drug paraphernalia were seized and forfeited to the United States.

The locations from which the drug paraphernalia was seized included The Snack & Smoke Shop, formerly located at 2118 Central Avenue SE in Albuquerque; Just Smokes, formerly located at 216 University Blvd. in Lubbock, Texas; Just Smokes, formerly located at 2209 West 5th Street in Plainview, Texas; The Magic Mushroom, formerly located at 1407 Sudderth Drive in Ruidoso; and Up in Smoke, formerly located at 220 East Marland Street in Hobbs.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

Ryan Raithel, Oxycodone and Heroin Distribution, Pennsylvania 2014

Jul 14, 2015

Drug Trafficking

Anthony Darnell Deberry, Distribution of Fentanyl, West Virginia 2024

Jan 30, 2025

Drug Trafficking

Joshua Gregory Richardson, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, West Virginia 2018

Feb 22, 2018

Drug Trafficking

Christopher Gerard Ruiz, Fentanyl Trafficking, Utah 2025

Apr 23, 2026