ALBUQUERQUE –
An Albuquerque woman is facing federal drug trafficking and firearm offenses after an HSTF investigation allegedly recovered large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cash, and firearms from her Albuquerque residence.
According to court documents, law enforcement is investigating a drug trafficking organization allegedly importing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin and other narcotics into Albuquerque, New Mexico. On October 28, 2026, a U.S. Magistrate Judge authorized a federal search warrant for the residence of Angel Ramirez, 45, in northwest Albuquerque.
On October 29, 2026, agents executed the warrant and encountered Ramirez, the sole adult in the home. Inside the master bedroom, investigators allegedly located multiple duffel bags containing large quantities of narcotics, bulk U.S. currency, and numerous firearms. Laboratory field testing confirmed the presence of fentanyl and heroin.
In total, agents recovered approximately 43.75 kilograms of fentanyl powder, the largest seizure in New Mexico in the DEA history, 7.70 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 4.40 kilograms of heroin, and an additional 1,036 grams of fentanyl in a separate container. Investigators also located approximately 29 firearms and assorted ammunition inside and around a gun safe directly beneath the narcotics and cash.
Court documents state that Ramirez was employed as a paralegal with the State of New Mexico’s Department of Justice, a taxpayer‑funded position of public trust. Investigators allege that Ramirez leveraged her government employment, clean criminal history, and internal access to the justice system to create a veneer of legitimacy while her residence operated as a distribution hub for narcotics, drug proceeds, and firearms.
“Nearly 50 kilograms of fentanyl powder in a single Albuquerque home tells us just how serious the drug trafficking problem has become in New Mexico,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “This is a tremendous accomplishment by the agents who got these drugs off our streets, but it is no cause for celebration. With fentanyl overdose deaths on the rise in New Mexico, we have a lot more work to do. We will continue targeting the organizations bringing these drugs into our state and aggressively prosecuting those responsible.”
“As members of the community, I want you to know that our agents remain deeply committed to protecting and serving the city of Albuquerque,” said DEA El Paso Division Special Agent in Charge Robert “Eric” Castañeda. “I’m proud of their professionalism, dedication, and the outstanding work they demonstrated throughout this operation. DEA remains steadfast in our mission to keep our communities safe.”
Ramirez is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. She will remain in custody pending trial which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Ramirez faces no less than 15 years and up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today on behalf of HSTF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Probasco is prosecuting the case.
This arrest is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF Region II CORE 7 is comprised of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Customs and Border Protection – Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and Air and Marine (AMO), Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), United States Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Joint Task Force North (JTF-N), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), United States Marshal Service (USMS), Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS), El Paso Police Department (EPPD), New Mexico State Police (NMSP), West Texas / New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico Sixth Judicial District, Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Districts of Western Texas and New Mexico.
The Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Rio Rancho Police Department and Pueblo of Pojoaque Tribal Police Department provided invaluable assistance in this arrest.
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