Five Federally Charged Following Multiagency Investigation into Drug Trafficking Operation Run from Mexican Prison Following Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

ALBUQUERQUE - Five people are facing federal drug trafficking charges for allegedly distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in southern New Mexico through an operation coordinated by an American citizen incarcerated in a prison in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

According to court documents, beginning in mid-2025, the FBI, Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating a drug trafficking organization allegedly distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, into southern New Mexico. Investigators identified Felix Anthony Salazar III, 34, an American citizen who was incarcerated in Ciudad Juarez, as a suspected member of the organization who coordinated drug transactions with individuals in southern New Mexico.

On September 5, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged for an undercover agent to purchase approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine for $3,800 in Anthony, New Mexico. Yadira Lizett Cano, 28, of El Paso, Texas, allegedly drove a vehicle to the meeting location with a 16-year-old passenger, who delivered the methamphetamine to the undercover agent and collected the money. Laboratory testing confirmed that the packages contained approximately 973 grams of pure methamphetamine. Investigators allege that Cano knowingly used the juvenile to facilitate the transaction.

On September 17, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged a second transaction involving approximately half a kilogram of methamphetamine for $1,800 in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Moses Andrew Gonzales, 36, and Martha Janeth Grijalva Fierro, 36, both of El Paso, Texas, allegedly arrived together, and Gonzales delivered the drugs to the undercover agent. Investigators identified communications between Salazar and Grijalva Fierro that allegedly connected her to the arrangement. Laboratory testing confirmed approximately 468 grams of pure methamphetamine.

On October 24, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged another drug transaction involving methamphetamine and fentanyl pills in Las Cruces. Suleima Eidali Miranda, 31, directed the undercover agent to a residence, where she allegedly delivered packages of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills in exchange for $2,000. Laboratory testing confirmed approximately 984 grams of pure methamphetamine and 251 grams of fentanyl.

Salazar, Cano, Gonzales, Grijalva Fierro and Miranda are federally charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Cano is also charged with distribution of methamphetamine and using a juvenile in a drug operation. Gonzales and Grijalva Fierro are each charged with distribution of methamphetamine. Miranda is charged with distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Salazar and Miranda are additionally charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

All five defendants have been arrested and are in federal custody. Salazar, who had been incarcerated in Ciudad Juarez, surrendered to law enforcement Sunday night, October 11, 2026, after crossing the border from Mexico into the United States.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics and HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez is prosecuting the case.

The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was 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 U.S. 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.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.