NMSP NEWS RELEASE

On April 9, 2025, at approximately 3:00 p.m., New Mexico State Police Crime Suppression Bureau (CSB) agents stopped at a Chevron gas station located at 5980 Alameda Blvd NE, where they observed the driver of a vehicle smoking narcotics. The registered owner was determined to be 30-year-old Efren Jesus Montes-Quezada, who had an active felony warrant in Texas for Enticement of a Minor for Indecent Purposes Via Telecommunications. Montes-Quezada exited his vehicle when he was contacted by agents and taken into custody on his warrant.

The same day, at approximately 8:30 p.m., CSB agents observed a vehicle whose registered owner had an active arrest warrant in Colorado for a weapons charge. The driver was determined to be 41-year-old Anthony Alvarez. The vehicle was stopped by agents, and Alvarez was taken into custody on his warrant.

Two hours later, at approximately 10:33 p.m., CSB agents observed a vehicle parked at The Downs Racetrack and Casino. A query of the vehicle’s registration revealed the owner had an active felony warrant for Receiving or Transferring a stolen motor vehicle. The registered owner was determined to be 51-year-old Stephen Gene Hawkins, who was occupying the driver’s seat. The vehicle was stopped near the intersection of San Pedro and Copper and Hawkins was taken into custody for his warrant. Hawkins was also charged with felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

The same day, April 9, 2025, two CSB undercover agents were approached by a female near San Pedro Drive and Central Avenue, later identified as 31-year-old Sonja Francis, who told them she could buy them fentanyl pills. Francis was observed walking across San Pedro, where she met with another female, made a hand-to-hand transaction, and returned to the agents with three fentanyl pills. Agents arrested Francis and the second female, who was identified as 49-year-old Erica Lopez. During her arrest, Lopez was found to be in possession of 13 more suspected fentanyl pills, 1.6 grams of suspected crushed fentanyl pills with burnt residue, and a glass smoking pipe.

Francis was charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance. Lopez was charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance (distribution), Trafficking a Controlled Substance (possession with intent to distribute), and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

All subjects were booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.