EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Las Cruces Police Department says it made 58 felony arrests, 59 misdemeanor arrests, and seized nearly 55 grams of methamphetamine in its first two months of their “Operation Not In Vain” which is a crime reduction project to commemorate the life of Las Cruces Police Department Officer Jonah Hernandez who was killed in the line of duty in February 2024.
Through May, officers working the operation made 500 traffic stops resulting in 128 citations, recovered eight stolen firearms, located four stolen vehicles, seized narcotics in four separate searches, issued 28 trespass warnings, and executed eight search or arrest warrants, the Police Department said.
The operation so far has also recorded 384 consensual contacts with citizens, 61 contacts with businesses, and has generated 72 incident reports, the Police Department said.
Besides the 54.5 grams of methamphetamine seized, officers also seized 32.6 grams of fentanyl and two grams of cocaine, the Police Department said.
“The operation is a months-long crime reduction project in memory of fallen Las Cruces Police Department Officer Jonah Hernandez, who was killed in the line of duty Feb. 11, 2024,” the Police Department said.
The operation began on April 28 and is anticipated to run through August.
“The operation is utilizing law enforcement personnel and resources from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State University Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office along with several federal agencies,” the Police Department said.
Read: Read More