An Albuquerque resident, Orlando Mario Jude Serrano, 44, faces federal charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses following his arrest by the U.S. Marshals Service for violating supervised release.
Court documents state that on September 8, 2025, Serrano was apprehended in Albuquerque on an active federal warrant. During the arrest, agents found approximately 1,283 grams of fentanyl pills, 364 grams of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and a Glock pistol with a machinegun conversion device in bags carried by Serrano and inside his vehicle.
Serrano has a prior conviction from 2015 for drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is now charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted on these charges, he faces at least ten years up to life imprisonment.
"Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, made the announcement today."
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oliver Stephanz is prosecuting the case.
Authorities emphasized that "an indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
This information was released on November 13 after the conclusion of the federal government shutdown.
