APD: 4 suspects arrested, over 700,000 fentanyl pills seized in drug raid

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Investigators said they arrested four suspects and seized over 700,000 fentanyl pills as part of a recent drug raid in Albuquerque.

According to Albuquerque police, investigators seized 715,000 fentanyl pills, seven kilograms of cocaine and 12 firearms. They worked with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office to also arrest four suspects.

APD identified two of the suspects as brothers Tomas and Joaquin Rubalcaba, leaders of the Rubalcaba Drug Trafficking Organization. The DEA reportedly identified the organization as a source of illegal drugs in New Mexico since 2021.

“We can't always talk about our drug investigations because they are so sensitive, but I want the public to know that local law enforcement is working closely with federal law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney's Office to address the source of illegal drugs that are coming New flows to Mexico,” said APD Chief Harold Medina.

Undercover agents allegedly purchased cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and meth from the Rubalcaba brothers and others, including Humberto Gastelum and Frederick Chavey, for more than eight months this year. Investigators then used the undercover purchases to build a case for search warrants for multiple premises throughout Bernalillo County.

Investigators searched Tomas Rubalcaba's home Wednesday and allegedly found three ounces of cocaine, three firearms and cash. They also allegedly found two firearms at his store at 7901 Ranchitos Loop, NE, and approximately 50,000 fentanyl pills at his alleged warehouse at 7515 Via Cometa, SW

During a search of Joaquin Rubalcaba's home at 10720 Central Park Dr., NE, investigators said they found “approximately 660,000 fentanyl pills, approximately three kilograms of cocaine and five firearms.” Police determined that two of the firearms were stolen.

On Wednesday, investigators also searched Gastelum's home and searched Chavey. At Gastelum's home they allegedly found an ounce of cocaine and a gun. During a search of Chavey, investigators allegedly found an ounce of cocaine, cash, packaging materials and four firearms.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has filed a request to detain the Rubalcaba brothers, Gastelum and Chavey, pending trial.