ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Drug Enforcement Administration says it has made the largest fentanyl powder seizure in New Mexico history, recovering more than 43 kilograms from an Albuquerque home.
The seizure comes as New Mexico faces the nation’s largest percentage increase in drug overdose deaths and the DEA faces scrutiny over allegations that agents previously allowed fentanyl shipments to continue moving as part of investigations.
In this case, an Albuquerque woman, 45-year-old Angel Ramirez, is facing federal drug trafficking and firearm charges after a Homeland Security Task Force investigation led to the discovery of large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cash and firearms at her home.
According to court documents, law enforcement was investigating a drug trafficking organization suspected of importing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin and other drugs into Albuquerque. On Oct. 28, a U.S. magistrate judge authorized a federal search warrant for Ramirez’s residence.
Agents executed the warrant the following day and encountered Ramirez, the only adult in the home. In the master bedroom, investigators said they found multiple duffel bags containing drugs, large amounts of cash and numerous guns. Field testing indicated the presence of fentanyl and heroin.
Authorities said that agents seized approximately 43.75 kilograms of fentanyl powder, the largest powder seizure in DEA New Mexico history, along with 7.7 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 4.4 kilograms of heroin and another 1,036 grams of fentanyl in a separate container.
Investigators also allegedly found approximately 28 guns and ammunition inside and around a gun safe located directly beneath the drugs and cash.
“More than 40 kilograms of fentanyl powder in a single Albuquerque home tells us just how serious the drug trafficking problem has become in New Mexico,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said in a news release.
Court documents state Ramirez worked as a paralegal for the New Mexico Department of Justice. Investigators allege she used her government employment, clean criminal history and access to the justice system to create an appearance of legitimacy, while her home served as a distribution hub for drugs, drug proceeds and guns.
Ramirez is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. She will remain in custody pending trial.
If convicted, Ramirez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life.
The latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show drug overdose deaths in New Mexico increased 32% from May 2025 to May 2026, the largest percentage increase in the country.
Meanwhile, a DEA whistleblower says the agency had allowed millions of fentanyl pills to be distributed as part of investigations targeting larger drug trafficking operations between 2022 and 2025.
Current DEA Special Agent David Howell told CBS News the practice, known as “fentanyl walking,” allows investigators to let suspected drug shipments continue moving so they can follow the supply chain and identify higher-level traffickers.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.
The lawsuit seeks records for the New Mexico Department of Justice’s investigation into allegations that DEA agents knowingly allowed large quantities of fentanyl to be distributed in the state.
