Fair employees busted with drugs

Two New Mexico State Fair employees are now ex-State Fair Employees after undercover narcotics agents busted them red-handed.

The fair employs 500 seasonal workers each year, but Justin Aguilar, 18, and Gerald Charley, 23, were on the job for only four days before the were fired and charged with buying drugs from an undercover APD officer.

According to police an officer approached the two parking attendants and asked them if they were "looking for work", a common street term for wanting to buy drugs. Aguilar and Charley said yes and purchased $20 worth of powder cocaine from the officer.

Both were arrested at the main gate Friday night.

"We have a zero tolerance policy, so the employees were terminated," said Expo New Mexico Spokesman Michael Henningsen.

He explained every employee must undergo a thorough background check. Fair visitors said they were shocked at what happened.

"That is surprising actually," said patron Hafid Valencia. "It's a good idea to do, though."

Valencia said he's glad police are checking every corner of the crowds to make sure everyone is safe.

"There's uniformed officers out here, there's plain clothes officers out here, we do that for obvious reasons, one of which was what happened last night," said Henningsen.

He stressed fair officials do everything possible to ensure safety. The fair contracts with NM State Police, APD and even hires their own security to make sure the event is family friendly.

Meanwhile Aguilar and Charley are charged with possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy.