THE DRUG TRADE IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO TAKES A HIT WITH THE ARREST OF 22 PEOPLE ON WEDNESDAY ON VARIOUS CHARGES. FIVE OTHERS REMAIN AT LARGE AND TWO MORE ARE IN STATE CUSTODY ON UNRELATED CHARGES.
THE DEFENDANTS, RANGING IN AGE FROM 19 TO 63, ARE ACCUSED OF TRAFFICKING A VARIETY OF DRUGS IN DONA ANA COUNTY, FROM MARIJUANA AND COCAINE, TO METH AND HEROIN. OF THE 29 PEOPLE CHARGED, 17 ARE RESIDENTS OF THE ANTHONY, NEW MEXICO AREA.
ONE MAN, 50 YEAR OLD LARRY VALLES SENIOR, IS FROM LOS LUNAS. MOST OF THOSE ARRESTED WILL MAKE THEIR INITIAL APPEARANCE IN FEDERAL COURT IN LAS CRUCES LATER THIS WEEK.
