715,000 fentanyl pills were seized in a federal drug operation in Albuquerque

By Gregory Hasman
Albuquerque Journal, NM

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Nearly three-quarters of a million fentanyl pills were recently seized in a federal drug operation in Albuquerque – enough to “supply every Albuquerque citizen with at least one pill,” authorities say.

Tomas Rubalcaba, 45, Joaquin Rubalcaba, 40, Humberto Gastelum and Frederick Chavey, 39, are charged with multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the case.

The charges came after the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Albuquerque police and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office seized about 715,000 fentanyl pills, other drugs and a dozen firearms last week.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Rubalcabas and Gastelum remain in custody pending an unscheduled trial. Chavey is in third custody, while a fifth person, Ismael Vargas, 37, remains at large.

If convicted, they could face more than ten years in prison.

“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,” Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said in a statement.

According to the application, Tomas and Joaquin – leaders of the Rubalcaba Drug Trafficking Organization – were either convicted or found guilty of drug trafficking in 2003.

APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said the Rubalcaba Drug Trafficking Organization has been distributing illegal drugs in the state since 2021.

The DOJ said Tomas Rubalcaba conducted his drug sales through his company, Albuquerque Classics.

The filing states that on Oct. 23, the DEA, APD and BCSO seized the pills, more than 7 kilograms of cocaine and 12 firearms in Bernalillo County.

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“The Rubalcabas had enough fentanyl to supply every citizen of Albuquerque with at least one pill,” the application states. “Through multiple undercover purchases, law enforcement confirmed its prevalence and continuity. Accordingly, there are no viable excuses for endangering the community by allowing these dangerous defendants to be released.”

“By adding firearms to its activities, the Rubalcaba DTO has exacerbated its behavior,” the application continues. “Guns are inherently dangerous. In connection with drug trafficking, federal law recognizes the effective combination.”

Of the seized pills, about 660,000 were found in Joaquin Rubalcaba's home and 50,000 in Tomas Rubalcaba's warehouse, the agent said.

“The sheer quantity of narcotics removed any doubt as to Tomas' importance as a drug dealer,” the motion states. “Like his brother Tomas, Joaquin’s importance as a drug dealer has also been confirmed.”

According to the complaint, Tomas Rubalcaba sold drugs to an undercover officer three times between February 2 and July 2. From May 30 to August 20, Joaquin Rubalcaba sold drugs to an undercover agent four times. Gastelum and Chavey also sold drugs to undercover officers on multiple occasions.

In about eight months, the application states, the drug organization supplied undercover agents with 5,582 grams of fentanyl, 2,025 grams of methamphetamine, 518 grams of cocaine and 187 grams of heroin.

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