A Bloomfield resident, Joseph Stevens, 41, has been charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses following an investigation by the Region II Narcotics Task Force. Authorities allege that Stevens trafficked fentanyl and methamphetamine from Albuquerque and Phoenix into San Juan County.
According to court documents, the investigation began in early 2025. On September 24, deputies from the San Juan Sheriff’s Office conducted a high-risk felony traffic stop on Stevens based on an arrest warrant issued the previous day. During the stop, a K9 officer from the Farmington Police Department was used to search Stevens’ vehicle for drugs. The police dog alerted officers to possible controlled substances, leading to the impoundment of the vehicle.
Later that day, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the vehicle and found 19 firearms—two of which had been reported stolen—as well as approximately 329.89 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, 10.89 grams of suspected fentanyl powder, 59.34 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
Stevens faces charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He will remain in custody pending trial. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 45 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, joined Ellison in announcing the charges.
The case was investigated by the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from local agencies including the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and Farmington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting.
The Region II Narcotics Enforcement Task Force is described as a multi-agency group focused on investigating violations related to controlled substances within New Mexico.
