Search in Los Lunas leads to multiple arrests

LOS LUNAS — Multiple law enforcement agencies took part in a search at a Los Lunas residence known to them to house criminal activity, which led to multiple arrests and the seizure of firearms and narcotics.  

On the morning of Wednesday, March 20, Los Lunas police and Valencia County sheriff’s deputies assisted Isleta police officers in serving a narcotics-based search warrant to the property of 702 S. Los Lentes Road.  

The area was blocked off from 6 a.m. into the late afternoon as officers served the warrant and conducted an extensive search through the home. 

Los Lunas Police Special Investigations Lt. Nikki DeAnda said LLPD and VCSO assisted in the operation to provide SWAT and tactical support “due to the nature of the house being known to have violent offenders, absconders, narcotics, firearms … so it required additional technical resources.”  

Los Lunas Police Chief Frank Lucero said the investigation was drawn out due to several occupants not complying with orders to exit the home or attempting to flee the residence. 

“There were probably a dozen individuals inside, some of whom surrendered immediately upon our arrival, and then there was one, in particular, who took five hours,” said DeAnda.  

This individual, DeAnda said, barricaded himself inside the attic and refused to come out.  

Lucero said officers were able to eventually get all the occupants outside safely after having to resort to deploying chemical munitions inside the home.    

DeAnda said the owner of the home, 29-year-old Alex Harris, was not present when officers initially executed the warrant; however, later in the day, he broke through the perimeter, “persistent to return to the home while there was an active operation being conducted.” 

Despite several attempts to deter him from entering the perimeter, DeAnda said Harris was arrested for resisting and evading. 

Two other individuals inside the residence were also arrested that day by Los Lunas police for outstanding warrants. DeAnda said the two men, 40-year-old Kenneth Rivera and 27-year-old Jay Moody were both found with suspected counterfeit fentanyl pills when they were arrested.  

Isleta police arrested 40-year-old Daniel Ramirez, the main suspect, and his wife, 38-year-old Jamie Garcia, both for trafficking narcotics.  

DeAnda said Isleta police ultimately seized about six firearms, 175 fentanyl pills, roughly nine grams of methamphetamine and 13 grams of cocaine from within the residence. They also seized about a dozen suboxone strips and about four bottles of methadone, both of which are medications used to treat opioid addiction. 

Lucero said it was a successful operation working in partnership with neighboring agencies, and he thanks all those involved and the residents of the area for their patience.  

DeAnda said no further arrests have been made by LLPD in connection to the search and seizure operation and, to her knowledge, no further arrests have been made by Isleta police, but it is still an on-going investigation. 

The property searched has seen an increase in criminal activity within the past year. Lucero said LLPD is currently working with the Los Lunas community development and zoning departments and the village’s attorney to explore what options they have in addressing the “nuisance” property.   

However, DeAnda said the homeowner has a caseworker through the state, so that has made trying to condemn the home tricky because, “the case worker who is working to assist obviously does not want to see him homeless since that’s his dwelling.” 

In the meantime, DeAnda said LLPD’s criminal investigation division is working on getting in contact with the property owner of a dirt lot directly south of the residence that visitors of the home frequently park in.  

“Oftentimes there are multiple cars there that continue to further the criminal activity, so we’re going to start working with the property owner to put up some no trespassing signs,” said DeAnda. “If people are trespassing, we can begin towing vehicles and removing them from the property with the hope of deterring the amount of people there.” 

DeAnda said they are also planning on collaborating with IPD in an upcoming meeting to discuss further, potential efforts to continue to be proactive in regards to the residence.