Five people connected to the Navarrette Drug Trafficking Organization in Hobbs, New Mexico, have been arrested on federal drug trafficking charges following an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in the region.
Court documents indicate that from October 2024 through December 2025, Raul Muñoz Navarrette, 44; his sons Raul Hernandez Navarrette, 26, and Adrian Hernandez Navarrette, 21; Amanda "Mandy" Ortega, 44; and Leonel Jaquez-Martinez, 45—a Mexican national who had previously been deported—conspired to distribute controlled substances throughout Lea County.
The investigation revealed that Raul Muñoz Navarrette conducted multiple sales of methamphetamine to undercover agents starting in October 2024. The amounts sold increased over time. On April 29, 2025, he arranged for the delivery of more than 427 grams of pure methamphetamine to an undercover agent. By July 8, he sold over a kilogram of methamphetamine for $9,500. During one transaction related to this sale, Leonel Jaquez-Martinez attempted to provide a portion of the drugs.
On August 1, Raul Muñoz Navarrette supplied fentanyl to Amanda Ortega. She then distributed it to another individual who suffered a non-lethal overdose. Afterward, Ortega told Raul Muñoz Navarrette that the fentanyl was too strong and warned about potential murder charges if someone died as a result.
In early September 2025, Raul Hernandez Navarrette coordinated cocaine distribution by directing his brother Adrian and father Raul Muñoz Navarrette to deliver drugs across Hobbs. Police apprehended Adrian at a hotel with cocaine and a loaded firearm. Later that month, cocaine sales continued under direction from Raul Hernandez Navarrette with pickups occurring at their ranch.
Federal agents executed search warrants on December 3 at six residences linked to the organization. They seized firearms—including rifles and pistols—as well as significant quantities of methamphetamine (about one pound), roughly eight ounces of cocaine, and approximately five hundred fentanyl pills.
The individuals face various federal charges:
- Raul Muñoz Navarrette is charged with conspiracy to distribute several controlled substances along with multiple counts related to distribution and use of communication devices in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted on all counts he faces up to life imprisonment.
- Amanda “Mandy” Ortega faces conspiracy charges as well as attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and other offenses related to fentanyl distribution. Her maximum sentence could be forty years.
- Raul Hernandez Navarrette is charged primarily with conspiracy and multiple counts relating to possession with intent or actual distribution of cocaine along with use of communication facilities for trafficking purposes; he faces up to twenty years if convicted.
- Adrian Hernandez Navarrette is charged similarly but also faces charges for carrying a firearm during drug trafficking crimes; if found guilty he could receive life imprisonment.
- Leonel Jaquez-Martinez is accused of attempting distribution offenses involving methamphetamine as well as immigration-related gun possession violations; his possible sentence could reach twenty years.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “These arrests are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159.” Omar Arellano—Special Agent in Charge for DEA’s El Paso Division—joined Ellison in announcing these developments.
The HSTF operates through broad interagency cooperation aimed at dismantling criminal organizations operating within or affecting U.S. communities both domestically and abroad using resources from multiple federal law enforcement agencies working together.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
