Staff Reports
OVER 150 GRAMS OF METHAPHETAMINE
Gallup, May 13
Two people are now facing drug charges after law enforcement found a large quantity of drugs at their residence.
On May 13, at approximately 6 am, the Gallup Police Department SWAT ERT, Gallup Narcotics Agents, and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, working as part of the FBI Federal Violent Crimes Task Force, executed a search and arrest warrant at a residence on Camino Rancheros. During the operation, agents arrested Patrick Mazon, 60, and Bernadine Mazon, 66.
A search of the home led to the seizure of over 150 grams of methamphetamine, 4.2 grams of cocaine, 14 grams of heroin, and over 530 fentanyl pills.
Patrick was charged with trafficking a controlled substance and two counts of possession. Bernadine was charged with three counts of possession and trafficking a controlled substance, along with her outstanding warrant. Both of their preliminary hearings in Gallup Magistrate Court are scheduled for May 27.
SNEAKING FENTANYL INSIDE HIS PANTS
Gallup, May 13
A corrections officer reportedly found fentanyl on a man who was initially arrested for a drug charge-related warrant.
On May 13, around 6:30 pm, Gallup Police Officer Ryan Boucher was dispatched to exit 20 off-ramp of Interstate 40 for a transport for a Gallup Police Department Narcotics Agents’ arrest. Officer Lionel Desiderio requested a marked unit for the request. The man who needed transportation was Fransisco Bravo, 50.
When Boucher arrived he took Bravo into his custody. He searched Bravo for any weapons, and then placed him into the back of his patrol car. Then he drove him to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked for his outstanding warrant.
Around 7:15 pm, Metro Dispatch informed Boucher that a MCADC employee had found contraband on Bravo’s person. When Boucher returned to MCADC, he collected two blue fentanyl pills. A corrections officer reportedly informed Boucher that the pills had fallen out of Bravo’s pants when he was changing. The officer immediately collected the pills.
Along with his aforementioned warrant, Boucher is now facing charges of possession of a controlled substance. His preliminary hearing for the charge is scheduled for May 27 in Gallup Magistrate Court. His warrant hearing, which is related to 2025 drug possession charges, is scheduled for May 29 in the same court.
PREVIOUS OFFENDER CAUGHT WITH FENTANYL
Gallup, May 7
A man who had multiple warrants out for his arrest was arrested for another drug possession charge.
On May 7, Gallup Police Officer Timothy Hughte, a member of the Violent Gang Task Force, noticed a white Lincoln Town car acting oddly while he was on duty. It was reportedly sitting in the parking lot of the Walmart (1650 W. Maloney Ave.) directly south of the west side of the business’ entrance. According to his report, Hughte knew the vehicle belonged to a man named James Artalejo, who had active warrants for his arrest out of the Gallup Municipal Court and the New Mexico Magistrate Court.
Hughte and other officers who are a part of the Violent Gang Task Force approached the vehicle and knocked on the window. When Artalejo, 43, opened the door a large cloud of white smoke reportedly came out. The officers could also reportedly smell the scent of burnt plastic coming from the vehicle.
The officers identified Artalejo and arrested him for his active warrants. When officers conducted a pat search on Artalejo they reportedly found several folded pieces of aluminum foil inside one of his pant pockets. One of the pieces of aluminum foil reportedly had a burnt blue pill on it, which the officers identified as fentanyl.
Agent Dominic Molina deployed his K-9 for an open-air sniff during the investigation. Canine Rakky indicated he could smell a narcotic on the vehicle. He reportedly indicated two times.
Artalejo’s vehicle was towed to the Gallup Police Department and sealed for evidence while officers awaited a judge to sign a search warrant for it.
Artalejo is facing one count of possession of a controlled substance along with his previous warrant. His preliminary hearing in Gallup Magistrate Court for the new drug charge is scheduled for June 3.
