ALBUQUERQUE, MAY 6, 2025—The Republican Party of New Mexico commends the efforts of the DEA, local law enforcement, and federal partners in executing one of the largest fentanyl seizures in U.S. history, as announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The seizure marks a critical victory for the Trump administration’s aggressive fight against drug trafficking and the deadly drug epidemic devastating our communities.
The seizure included:
- 11.5 kilos of fentanyl (including 3 million deadly pills)
- 35 kilos of methamphetamine
- 7.5 kilos of cocaine
- 4.5 kilos of heroin
- $5 million in cash and 49 firearms
Sixteen arrests were made—including six illegal immigrants. Among them was cartel leader Alberto Salazar Amaya of the Sinaloa Cartel who distributed deadly drugs into Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Utah.
“This historic drug bust is a chilling reminder that the open border policies of the Biden administration and Democrat leaders in New Mexico have created a safe haven for violent cartels and foreign criminals,” said Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico. “While our law enforcement is risking their lives to clean up the mess, radical Democrats are protecting illegal immigrants and ignoring the needs of the people they were elected to serve.”
New Mexico’s Democrat leaders, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Representative Gabe Vasquez, Representative Melanie Stansbury, and Teresa Leger Fernandez have consistently voted to divert public resources, housing, education, and welfare services away from struggling New Mexican families—to illegal immigrants. While our veterans, working parents, and seniors wait for help, criminals and border-crossers receive free hotel rooms, legal aid, and food assistance—all at taxpayer expense.
Enough is enough. Resources that rightfully belong to New Mexicans must never be handed over to those who entered our country illegally and now fuel violence, addiction, and human trafficking. The failure to enforce our border is not just a policy disagreement—it is an active betrayal of New Mexico families.
“We cannot continue to sacrifice our safety and prosperity to protect those who violate our laws and threaten our way of life,” Barela continued. “We need leadership that fights for New Mexicans first—not illegal immigrants, not cartels, and not radical agendas.”
We call on all state and federal officials to:
- Support President Trump’s plan to secure the southern border
- End taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants
- Prioritize public safety, law enforcement, and legal residents
- Hold accountable those who enable cartel crime by weakening our border laws
New Mexico is not a sanctuary for crime. It is a proud state of law-abiding Americans who deserve protection, opportunity, and respect from their government.
It’s time to stop putting illegal immigrants and criminals first. It’s time to stand up for New Mexico.
