Arizona supplier accused of supplying meth and fentanyl to New Mexico

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 05:41 · Archive

Federal prosecutors allege an Arizona-based supplier coordinated methamphetamine and fentanyl shipments to a Hobbs, New Mexico drug trafficking ring.

Federal prosecutors say an Arizona-based supplier helped fuel a multistate methamphetamine and fentanyl operation using mailed packages and electronic payments to conceal the trade. Jesus Landeros, 31, allegedly coordinated the shipments with the help of Marycruz Perez, 34, and his mother Josefina Cabrera-Becerra, 59. They supplied drugs to Cesar Antonio Huerta, 28, who prosecutors say led a Hobbs, New Mexico-based drug trafficking ring.

Investigators identified at least 13 suspicious shipments between June and September 2025, sent from Arizona and Southern California to New Mexico. On 11 September 2025, U.S. Postal Inspectors intercepted a package from Inglewood, California containing nearly 5 pounds of pure methamphetamine. Huerta and his girlfriend Mariela Belen Lechuga, 24, then sold the drugs in the area. During the investigation, authorities intercepted a shipment in Florida containing methamphetamine and carfentanil-laced pills, and seized more than 13 pounds of fentanyl and an additional pound of methamphetamine in California.

Huerta and Lechuga sent approximately $186,851 to Landeros, Perez and Cabrera-Becerra through Cash App, Zelle and other electronic payment platforms between June 2025 and July 2026. The payments were labeled as ordinary expenses such as 'clothes', 'shoes', 'rent' and 'food', but investigators allege they were used to pay for drug shipments and conceal proceeds. Federal prosecutors charged all five with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Huerta faces an additional charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm after investigators said he had a gun during a September traffic stop.

How it is being reported

• Arizona supplier accused of providing meth, fentanyl to New Mexico operationFrom Arizona to New Mexico, an alleged drug pipeline relied on mailed packages and electronic payments, according to federal investigators.KOLD · 5 Nov, 00:14
• Arizona supplier accused of providing meth, fentanyl to New Mexico operationFrom Arizona to New Mexico, an alleged drug pipeline relied on mailed packages and electronic payments, according to federal investigators.Azfamily · 5 Nov, 00:14

In this story: Jesus Landeros · Cesar Antonio Huerta · Arizona · New Mexico · Hobbs · Department of Justice · U.S. Postal Inspectors

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log