Source: US FBI
ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man was sentenced to 123 months in prison following an investigation into a fentanyl trafficking operation in southern New Mexico.
According to court records, since early 2024, the FBI’s Southern New Mexico Safe Streets Gang Task Force, together with Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics and the Las Cruces Police Department, have been investigating a drug trafficking organization distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine in and around Las Cruces, New Mexico. The investigation identified Orangie Lee Fisher, 37, as a key participant in the operation.
On April 3, 2024, agents executed a federal search warrant at a motel room occupied by Fisher at the Imperial Sky Motel in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Inside the room and Fisher’s vehicle, agents recovered approximately 600 grams of suspected marijuana, $5,693 in cash, firearms magazines, and ammunition.
After the seizure, agents continued to surveil Fisher and conducted controlled narcotics purchases at his Las Cruces residence. On October 4, 2024, agents from the Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics executed a state search warrant at that residence, where Fisher was present.
During the search, Fisher ignored commands and fled into a bedroom before surrendering. Approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills were found scattered throughout the residence, and a stolen handgun wrapped in a latex glove was recovered from the bedroom closet.
When interviewed at the scene, Fisher denied living at the residence and denied any knowledge of the drugs or firearm.
Fisher subsequently pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Upon his release from prison, Fisher will be subject to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics, the Las Cruces Police Department, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Y. Armijo prosecuted the case.