Two-year battle brings down drug house

ALBUQUERQUE(KRQE) - Neighbors in the Duranes area in Albuquerque's North Valley are rejoicing because a well-known drug house is being leveled.

A unique collaboration with the new owners of the property at 1910 Los Luceros will result in a brand-new home being built on the lot that is right down the street from an elementary school.

The neighbors have been calling police about the property for two years, and the Albuquerque Police Department has an entire notebook filled with complaints and police reports associated with the home.

Usually the city takes a lien against trouble-ridden properties, but in this case Stan and Amy Low purchased the lot and will build a green home there.

The Low's are paying for the demolition out of their own pockets.

Neighbors, Diana Silwicki and Melonie Burns live in the neighborhood and said getting rid of the home is wonderful, because they now won't have to worry about illegal activity there.

The Safe City Strike Force must have demolitions approved by city council. So far three homes have been taken down and six more are scheduled over the next few weeks.