A recently completed month long investigation into cocaine trafficking in Rio Arriba County resulted in the arrest of two individuals. The operation was conducted by the Region III Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is made up of Agents from the New Mexico State Police, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, and Santa Fe City Police Department and done in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) from Santa Fe.

The individuals involved were trafficking in large amounts of cocaine. The individuals arrested were Phil Benavidez age 49 (Espanola) and Aaron Sanchez age 32 (Espanola).

They are both facing federal charges. Just under 2 pounds of cocaine with an estimated value of $30,000 along with two vehicles and $2,900 in cash were seized during the operation.

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Contact: Tony Lynn
505-827-9240
tony.lynn@state.nm.us
www.dps.nm.org