A traffic stop by the New Mexico State Police on Thursday led to the discovery of more than $100,000 in cash and 50 pounds of fentanyl pills.
Edward E. Vallez, 42, was arrested and held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in DWI, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, speeding and other charges. It is unclear whether he has a lawyer.
Officers searched the SUV Vallez was driving and found about $130,000 in cash and about 230,000 fentanyl pills inside, according to a returned search warrant and affidavits filed in US District Court.
The traffic stop also garnered interest from the FBI because Vallez is an alleged member of the Sureños gang who was on probation at the time.
The affidavit said the Vallez home was one of 15 properties searched during a large-scale FBI investigation in September, in which the agency seized $1.8 million, more than 35 handguns and 142 pounds of methamphetamines.
Sign up for our free Daily Headlines newsletter
Federal agents said Vallez was wanted for a probation violation at the time of the traffic stop due to officers finding marijuana in his home during the investigation.
Vallez has a long criminal history in New Mexico, according to the affidavit, having been convicted of aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, cruelty to animals, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, trafficking in a controlled substance, and other charges .
A State Police officer was driving along Interstate 25 around 11 pm Thursday when he spotted a white Dodge SUV speeding by the Big I, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.
Police said the driver of the SUV – later identified as Vallez – took the exit onto Avenida Cesar Chavez and fled when the officer attempted to stop traffic near Broadway SE.
The officer found the crashed SUV further down the road and another officer had detained Vallez’s passenger at the scene, according to the complaint. Vallez fled the scene on foot and was found minutes later half a mile away.
Police said they arrested Vallez, who reeked of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Vallez refused to talk to police.
Vallez’s passenger told police the two had just left the strip club.
