A group accused of running a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking operation in Hobbs, New Mexico, has been charged in federal court, according to an announcement made by Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison on Mar. 10. The network is alleged to have brought large quantities of drugs and armed dealers into the community.
Court documents allege that Arturo Chihuahua-Martinez, a 61-year-old Mexican national previously deported from the United States, served as a primary supplier, transporting multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine from California into Lea County for redistribution. On February 17, 2025, Chihuahua-Martinez was reportedly stopped by law enforcement near Tatum, New Mexico, where nearly 20 pounds of pure methamphetamine were found in his vehicle.
Natasha Ruiz, 33, is accused of being a local distributor who obtained drugs from Chihuahua-Martinez and managed retail-level sales through associates. Ruiz allegedly coordinated several transactions involving methamphetamine and fentanyl between March and October 2025. Other individuals named in the indictment include Erik L. Almaguer, Eli G. Rodriguez, Taylor Lydick, and Lorenzo Luna-Espinoza—each facing various charges related to conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances.
Luna-Espinoza is also charged with illegal reentry after removal and being an alien in possession of firearms and ammunition. Additional cases involve Jamus Clydrell White and Gabriel Tercero for firearm possession despite prior felony convictions; both face up to 15 years if convicted. Pedro Rene Palacios faces charges related to distributing methamphetamine following a search warrant executed at his residence on March 4, 2026.
Ellison said the prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159: "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." The task force includes multiple federal agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), among others.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Williams and Renee Camacho are prosecuting these cases. Authorities remind that indictments are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
