Fireman, 14 Men Face Drug Charges

Federal agencies have indicted 15 men, including an Albuquerque firefighter, in what U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales is calling one of the most significant drug and money laundering cases ever filed in New Mexico.

Law enforcement officials arrested nine of the 15 defendants named in the indictment, including Steven Chavez, 32, a seven-year veteran of the Albuquerque Fire Department, and executed 10 search warrants at homes in Albuquerque and a ranch in Edgewood during a sweep Thursday, a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Four of the suspects have yet to be arrested, including Homero Varela, 29, the suspected leader of the organization, and are considered fugitives, the release said.

Officials said suspects arrested Thursday made their initial appearances in a federal court in Albuquerque on Friday morning.

According to the release, the indictment was a result of a multi-agency investigation of a drug trafficking and money laundering organization, which officials are referring to as the Varela Organization.

The organization is suspected of distributing large amounts of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine in central and northern New Mexico, said Joseph Arabit, Drug Enforcement Administration special agent in charge.

During Thursday’s operation, law enforcement seized a half-kilogram of cocaine, more than 10 pounds of high-grade marijuana, about $25,000 in cash, 20 vehicles, seven handguns, nine rifles and two shotguns, the release said.

The indictment also seeks a forfeiture of at least $15 million in property and bank accounts belonging to the suspects.

The release said the investigation was a part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a nationwide Department of Justice program to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.

According to the release, all 15 suspects are being charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Some members of the organization are also facing money laundering charges.

Chavez is charged with violating financial reporting requirements on 37 transactions totaling $348,500 between July 2011 and August 2011, the release said.

Officials say Chavez’s future with the fire department will be determined soon.

“Firefighters stand and fight for what is good and honorable in this world, and if these allegations are true, firefighter Steve Chavez has betrayed his profession and his fellow firefighters,” Fire Chief James Breen said in a statement to The Associated Press.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal