Eight Arrested After Belen Drug Raid Seizes Fentanyl, Meth

Valencia County deputies, joined by the Belen Police Department and the Los Lunas Police Department, executed a counter-narcotics search warrant on Jan. 6 at a residence in the 1400 block of Highway 116 in Belen. The operation yielded 37 grams of fentanyl, an additional 10 grams of powdered fentanyl and 3.3 grams of methamphetamine, and led to the arrest of eight people on outstanding warrants and new drug-related charges.

Those arrested were identified as David Lyons, Kayla Rasmussen, Raye Sanchez, Abraham Perea, Nathaniel Tannoya, Esteban Gonzales, Destiny Haisler and Christian Sandoval. Charges include outstanding warrants and alleged new offenses tied to the narcotics uncovered during the search. Authorities have said the investigation remains active as officers work to determine whether additional arrests or charges are warranted.

Local officials characterized the operation as part of an ongoing effort to remove dangerous drugs from Valencia County neighborhoods and to work collaboratively with municipal partners to keep residents safe. Residents in Belen and surrounding communities were advised to expect increased law enforcement activity as the probe continues and as courts process the cases.

The seizure comes amid a nationwide public health crisis involving synthetic opioids. Fentanyl, even in small quantities, can be highly potent and increases the risk of fatal overdoses when introduced into local drug supplies. For Valencia County, the case underscores the intersection of public safety and public health: law enforcement disruption of supply is one element, while prevention, treatment and harm-reduction efforts remain central to reducing overdoses and long-term harms in families and neighborhoods.

The coordinated action by county and city agencies reflects broader trends in regional policing that prioritize partnership across jurisdictions when contraband and trafficking cross municipal boundaries. For local residents, the immediate impact is a removal of significant quantities of dangerous substances from circulation, followed by the legal process that will determine individual accountability.

As the criminal cases proceed, community leaders and service providers will face the continuing challenge of addressing the root causes of substance use and supporting those affected. Valencia County law enforcement has signaled it will continue similar operations to disrupt drug activity and to protect public safety.