State Police Bust Mexican National Trying to Smuggle Drugs on I-40 Near Albuquerque

Albuquerque –

A routine traffic stop on I-40 near mile marker 145, which is just before Atrisco Vista Blvd, led to a significant drug bust involving 12.3 kilograms of fentanyl. The incident began when a New Mexico State Police officer pulled over a vehicle for following too closely to another vehicle. Turns out the driver was also lacking a valid driver’s license. The driver, identified as Arath Noe Orozco-Aboyte of Mexico, displayed visible signs of nervousness, including a pounding carotid artery and shaking hands during the stop.

Mr. Orozco-Aboyte, told the officer he had been traveling for approximately 6.5 hours, seemed unsure of his exact destination. This uncertainty, combined with his physical symptoms, raised suspicions to the officer. Orozco-Aboyte had passengers in the vehicle who were unresponsive to questioning from the officer.

The officer inquired further about the nature of their trip. Mr. Orozco-Aboyte claimed they were surprising his brother with a visit to a cousin they grew up with. This explanation, however, did not make sense.

When asked about the presence of firearms, large amounts of cash, methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine, Mr. Orozco-Aboyte denied having any in the vehicle. However, his reaction to the question about fentanyl—nodding his head left and right before verbally denying—stood out to the officer.

Given these inconsistencies, the officer requested and received verbal consent from Mr. Orozco-Aboyte and the passengers to search the vehicle. During the search, a pink floral bag in the trunk drew attention due to its unusual weight. Upon inspection, the bag revealed a few clothing items and three large bags filled with blue circular pills resembling fentanyl. Additionally, two pairs of black jeans were found containing bricks wrapped in black and clear heat-sealed packaging, which also appeared to be suspected narcotics.

The suspected narcotics were transported to the HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) office, where agents conducted presumptive tests. The results confirmed that the blue pills were indeed fentanyl, as were the bricks wrapped in clear and black packaging. The total weight of the fentanyl seized was 12.3 kilograms, with the pills alone weighing 10.14 kilograms and the bricks 2.16 kilograms.

HIS Agents read Orozco-Aboyte his Miranda warnings and he then claimed he knew he was transporting fentanyl and that he knew it was illegal to do so. Mr. Orozco-Aboyte was later booked into PTC for one charge of trafficking. Once he is released it is unknown if he will ever be seen again for follow up court dates since he lost such a valuable load.