2013-Annual-Report-SMALL

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONSDIVISIONLes BrownCommanderThe Special InvestigationsDivision is comprised of theCareer Criminal Section whichincludes the Repeat OffendersProject (ROP), the Gang Unitand Criminal Intelligence Unit,and U.S. Marshal’s Taskforce;the Narcotics Section whichincludes the Central NarcoticsUnit, Vice Unit and Meth Unit;and the HIDTA Section, whichincludes the FBI Task Force,DEA Task Force, HomelandSecurity Taskforce (HSI) andRegion One Narcotics TaskForce. All the units within theSpecial Investigations Divisionare tasked with providingspecialized investigativesupport to the AlbuquerquePolice Department and otheragencies as well as identifying,targeting, and apprehendingcareer criminals involved incrimes affecting the citizens ofAlbuquerque.“I believe that actions speaklouder than words, and thegreat work performed by themen and women of the SpecialInvestigations Division speaksvolumes.”In 2013, the Repeat OffendersProject (ROP) Unit made over 220felony arrests, seized 15 firearmsand recovered more than 30 stolenvehicles. ROP collaborated withRobbery Unit detectives to identifytwo serial armed robbery suspects.One offender was wanted forrobbing several convenience storesat gunpoint; the other used a Tazerand savagely beat his victims atATMs. Through diligent investigativeefforts, the ROP Unit (with help fromGang and Vice detectives) were ableto apprehend both offenders whilethey were in progress of committingadditional robberies.In 2013, the Gang Unit made 164felony and 79 misdemeanor arrests,recovered 35 firearms, seized overfour pounds of narcotics and filledout 443 gang cards. On May 31,Gang Unit detectives responded toa homicide involving an 8-year-oldgirl. Detectives were able to identifythe suspects and a search for bothoffenders began. Both subjects werelocated and apprehended withinhours of the initial call.In August, the Criminal IntelligenceUnit and the Gang Unit monitoredthe activities of several outlawmotorcycle gangs in an effort tostem the threatened use of violencein retaliation for the shooting ofa rival gang member. Both unitsconducted training for numerous lawenforcement agencies to heightenawareness of the threat that outlawmotorcycle gangs pose to lawenforcement.In 2013, the Central Narcotics Unitmade 145 felony arrests, completed38 felony warrants, seized 35firearms, and served 49 searchwarrants. The Unit seized 220.5pounds of marijuana; 4,043 grams ofmethamphetamine; 10,890 grams ofcocaine; 2,131 grams of heroin; and1,304 grams of other narcotics.In 2013, the Vice Unit made 15114felony and 273 misdemeanor arrests,completed 124 felony warrants and125 misdemeanor warrant arrests. Inaddition, the Vice Unit conducted 414undercover operations at numeroushotel/motels and massage parlors.The Region 1 Narcotics Task Force isstaffed with detectives from multipleagencies. In 2013, the Region 1Task Force seized 15,402 gramsof cocaine; 7,311 grams of heroin;17,204 grams of methamphetamine,and 121 pounds of marijuana. TheTask Force also seized $1.4 million,20 vehicles, and one aircraft.The Homeland SecurityInvestigations Task Force was startedin June. Detectives completed 26felony and 15 misdemeanor arrests,43 K-9 call outs, 175 interdictionchecks, and 328 traffic stops.Operations resulted in the seizureof 353 pounds of marijuana; 1,016grams of methamphetamine; 8,960grams of cocaine; 2,240 grams ofheroin; six vehicles; one aircraft; 10firearms; and $22,000.The FBI Safe Streets Task Forcecompleted 13 felony arrests andseized 21 pounds of marijuana;3,584 grams of heroin; 7,347 gramsof cocaine; and $15,000.The DEA Taskforce’s purpose is toidentify, target and dismantle highleveldrug trafficking organizationsthroughout New Mexico. In 2013,the DEA Taskforce investigatednumerous cases resulting in 84felony arrests, and the seizure ofapproximately $2.25 million andnine vehicles. Also seized was7,600 grams of methamphetamine;8,900 grams of heroin; 2,700 gramsof cocaine; and 170 pounds ofmarijuana. DEA Taskforce officersdismantled two marijuana growslocated in Albuquerque and SantaFe. The operations resulted in theseizure of $17,000 and $9,000 ingrow equipment.