Police operation nets 9 arrests

A multiagency police operation in Quay County last week netted nine arrests in Tucumcari, including several at the Quay Apartments.

In a social media post, Sheriff Dennis Garcia said his office conducted Impact Operation Number One on Jan. 10-11 in conjunction with New Mexico State Police and New Mexico Probation and Parole.

Garcia said Tucumcari Public Schools was notified “for precautionary measures” during the Quay Apartments operation.

He said schools near the apartments went into a “teach in place” mode.

“We didn’t want to get in a situation where we were wrestling with a a suspect or him fleeing in the school parking lot,” Garcia said in a phone interview Saturday.

In addition to the arrests, Garcia said warrants would be issued for other suspects.

“Drugs, drug paraphernalia and weapons all were seized during this operation,” Garcia added. “This is just the first of many operations QCSO plans to conduct in the Quay County area.”

Garcia said his officers also knocked on every door of the Quay Apartments, notifying residents they should call if they see any illegal or suspicious activity, as a form of “community policing.”

He also credited the Quay County Detention Center for handling a large number of detainees from the operation on short notice.