Zacary Cipriano Lucero, Fentanyl Trafficking, New Mexico 2024

A 63-year-old Española man is facing serious charges after authorities discovered a large quantity of illicit substances in his possession at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Bernalillo County.

Zacary Cipriano Lucero was indicted on multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances following an incident at the casino on September 16, 2024.

According to court documents, police responded to a 911 hang-up call from a hotel room at the Sandia Resort and Casino, where they made contact with Lucero and two women. Lucero initially claimed the women had stolen money from him, but one of the women suggested searching his bags, alleging he was trading fentanyl for sex.

Lucero denied consent to search his bags and stated he wanted to drop the charges against the women. However, after being read his Miranda rights, Lucero told officers he had invited the women to his room and discovered his cell phone and money were missing after dozing off.

Police sealed the room and obtained a search warrant, which led to the discovery of approximately 238 grams of suspected fentanyl, 16 grams of suspected cocaine, 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and approximately $3,190 in cash.

These items were found in bags that Lucero had previously claimed ownership of. The defendant will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Lucero faces up to 40 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs with the assistance of the Pueblo of Sandia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and Lucero is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/us-attorneys-office-charges-espanola-man-drug-trafficking-and-possession