Federal authorities bust alleged family-run Hobbs narcotic ring

LAS CRUCES — A Hobbs family and accused associates were arrested and charged this week for allegedly selling methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine in an organized enterprise.

On Friday morning, Raul Muñoz Navarrette, 44, made an initial appearance in federal district court in Las Cruces along with his sons, Raul Hernandez Navarrette, 26, and Adrian Hernandez Navarrette, 21. Also charged in the federal indictment was Leonel Jaquez-Martinez, 45, a Mexican national prosecutors say has previously been deported from the U.S.

Search warrants executed at six Hobbs residences on Dec. 3 led to the seizure of 29 guns, a pound of meth, 500 fentanyl pills and eight ounces of cocaine, prosecutors said.

Raul Muñoz Navarrette allegedly sold meth to federal undercover agents on multiple occasions beginning in October 2024, starting with smaller purchases leading up to several exchanges of more than 400 grams — and as much as a pound — of pure meth for $3,500 per purchase. In July, agents say Navarrete sold 1,200 grams of pure meth to an undercover agent for $9,500.

Agents say Navarrette operated a drug trafficking organization in Lea County with his sons, Jaquez-Martinez and Amanda “Mandy” Ortega, 44, of Carlsbad.

Ortega was charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute meth and fentanyl, attempted possession with intent to distribute meth, distribution of fentanyl, and three counts of using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking.

The indictment alleges Raul Muñoz Navarrette provided fentanyl to Ortega in August for distribution to a client who then overdosed, prompting the pair to conclude the product was too strong and discuss the possibility of murder charges in the event of a death.

New Mexico Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison announced the indictments, plus the criminal complaint against Ortega, with Omar Arrelano, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, on Thursday.

In September, the complaint alleges Raul Hernandez Navarrette began directing a cocaine distribution enterprise involving his brother and father, with deliveries made to a Family Inn hotel. Days into this operation, Adrian Hernandez Navarrette was arrested at the hotel, allegedly in possession of 1.5 grams of cocaine, a loaded .45 handgun and a drug ledger.

Following that arrest, the indictment alleges the other Navarrettes continued to operate the enterprise, with deliveries taking place at Raul Muñoz Navarrette’s ranch.

The elder Navarrette is charged with conspiracy to distribute meth, fentanyl, and cocaine; eight counts of distribution of meth; possession with intent to distribute meth; two counts of distribution of fentanyl; 10 counts of distribution of cocaine; and three counts of using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking.

The defendants, including Ortega, each face maximum penalties amounting to decades or life in prison.

Also appearing in court Friday was Abraham Navarrette, 66, whom prosecutors say was in possession of cocaine when the Dec. 3 search warrant was executed. Navarrette, who uses a walker for mobility, was on supervised release following his 2021 sentence on multiple counts involving meth trafficking. A petition seeking to revoke his release alleges a small amount of cocaine was found on his nightstand.

The Navarrettes and Jaquez-Martinez are set for preliminary hearings next week. A hearing for Ortega is being rescheduled over an unspecified medical matter, per court records.