Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Spring Cleaning

ALBUQUERQUE - The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Spring Cleaning, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the FBI to combat gang-related threats and enhance public safety. The operation coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement and targeted the illegal flow of firearms and narcotics in our communities. The operation began on March 1 and ended May 31.

In total, Operation Spring Cleaning led to over 1100 arrests, over 600 charges filed, and almost 600 search warrants conducted. The operation also resulted in the seizure of:

• Almost 1000 illegal firearms, dozens of which were equipped with machine gun conversion devices (MCDs) as well as over 75 stand-alone MCDs;
• Over 2,700 pounds of illegal narcotics including
• Over 500 kilograms of cocaine or more than 1100 pounds,
• Nearly 700 pounds of methamphetamine,
• Over 550 pounds of marijuana,
• Nearly 50 kilograms of fentanyl or more than 100 pounds,
• Almost 40 kilograms of heroin or more than 85 pounds,
• More than 7 kilograms of crack cocaine or more than 16 pounds, and
• More than 13,200 pills of MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly.

The operation also resulted in significant enforcement actions in the District of New Mexico. Federal prosecutors charged Lucas Maldonado with drug trafficking and firearms offenses after he allegedly supplied nearly five pounds of methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers and was later found in possession of fentanyl, firearms, and ammunition. In a separate case, Pete Kimbell was charged in federal court after allegedly selling multiple firearms and ammunition to an undercover law enforcement officer. Additionally, Crisantos Garcia was charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses following an FBI investigation into an alleged scheme to provide weapons to an inmate seeking to escape from custody.

Two FBI agents in tactical gear stand near the back of an armored vehicle and a Ford pickup truck during a SWAT operation. Two FBI agents in tactical gear stand near the back of an armored vehicle and a Ford pickup truck during a SWAT operation. Nighttime scene of vehicles lined up on a road, with mountain silhouette and city lights in the background.

"When our neighborhoods are safe from the scourge of deadly drugs, individuals and families can prosper," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "The Trump Administration has made significant progress in removing this poison from our streets, a key step in our commitment to making America safe again."

"This FBI understands that communities across our country have been ravaged by gangs and the firearms and narcotics they flood our streets with," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Operation Spring Cleaning represents our total commitment to crushing this kind of violent crime and eliminating the criminal networks who facilitate them - with over 1,000 arrests, 1,000 firearms seized, and 3,000 pounds of narcotics removed from our neighborhoods. Righteous operations like this show this FBI is only getting started and will continue delivering the most prolific run of crime reduction in U.S. history."