Drug raid nabs 'very significant' stash

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Bernalillo County sheriffs deputies served a search warrant in Albuquerque Thursday night and report they found a huge stash that distributed drugs to the entire county and will go down in the record books.

They said the alleged dope dealers, Chris Marquez and Claudia Martinez, are local but have ties to an international drug organizations.

"It was definitely a surprise," sheriff's Lt. Sid Covington said. "It's not something that's normal.  This is a very significant amount."

Deputies search the house off of Saddle Blanket Trail SW after getting tips drugs were being stored there.

Inside they found 13 pounds of meth and six pounds of heroin.

"We used all of our resources as far as intelligence and informants to make sure we had the right people in the right locations," Covington said.

Detectives said Marquez, who is Martinez's cousin, was dealing a lot of dope throughout the city and has connections to some very very bad people.

"I would say that they definitely have cartel connections," Covington said.  "That's something that we are investigating."

According to court documents, Martinez told deputies the drugs belonged to him and his cousin had nothing to do with it.

Investigators said the street value of the meth and heroin is anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000.

Along with the drugs in the house was Martinez's 4-year-old child.

Deputies said the drugs were sold to a broad range of clientele, possibly even kids.

"And in the schools, especially now with the heroin," Covington said. "So this arrest will affect a lot of lives just because the amount we took off the streets."

Both Marquez and Martinez are charged with drug trafficking.

Martinez is also charged with child abuse since her son was living in the drug house.

The child was released to a grandmother.