ALBUQUERQUE – A retired New Mexico State Police lieutenant is facing federal drug charges after investigators say he was caught transporting large quantities of fentanyl during a traffic stop on Interstate 40.
Carlos Antonio Perea, 56, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, according to federal court documents filed August 6 in U.S. District Court.
Investigators say Perea was traveling with 31-year-old Catherine Anne Schmidt when officers stopped their vehicle near mile marker 81 after observing it swerve across the fog line. During the stop, officers noted conflicting stories from the pair and deployed a K-9 unit, which alerted to the presence of drugs.
A search of the vehicle revealed several packages of suspected fentanyl hidden inside a duffel bag, a cardboard box, and two spare tires. Both Perea and Schmidt were detained and reportedly tested positive for fentanyl.
Court documents state that Perea admitted to knowingly transporting drugs and said his law enforcement background helped him avoid detection during multiple trips to California, Arizona, and Roswell, New Mexico. He also claimed not to have disclosed his police history to the drug trafficking organization he worked with, which he believes is cartel-related.
Perea retired from the New Mexico State Police in 2019. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday, September 5.
