Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
This grenade was found during a suspect's drug-related arrest in Tucumcari last week.
A possible live grenade was confiscated last week during a multi-agency drug bust on Tucumcari's west side.
Raul Diaz-Villalobos, 39, was charged with trafficking a controlled substance in a school zone (by possession with intent to distribute) and possession of explosive or incendiary device, both felonies, after the operation.
The trafficking charge, the most serious, could lead to up to 18 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Quay County Sheriff Dennis Garcia said Diaz-Villalobos came from California and is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico.
Officers from the sheriff's office, Region V Task Force and New Mexico State Police on Jan. 23 arrested Diaz-Villalobos at a motel the 800 block of West Tucumcari Boulevard on a municipal warrant. Authorities conducted a welfare check on the motel after receiving a tip of possible drug trafficking.
The arrest prompted the issuance and execution of a search warrant of Diaz-Villalobos' room.
"Upon initial entry to the apartment, drugs, guns and a suspected grenade were seen in the apartment," the sheriff's office stated in a social media post. "New Mexico State Police Bomb Team responded and took possession of the suspected grenade. Individuals in close proximity were evacuated from their apartments."
The officer who wrote the criminal complaint, a U.S. Army veteran, said the grenade appeared to be genuine, with its safety pin, lug, pull ring and housing to hold a blasting cap in operating condition.
The grenade was taken to Albuquerque by the state police's explosives ordnance disposal team for further investigation and disposal.
Garcia said Sunday he hadn't heard from state police whether the grenade was live.
According to the complaint, officers also found an AR-15-style rifle, a pistol and ammunition near Diaz-Villalobos' bed.
Also found were about 5,000 pills suspected to be fentanyl, plus methamphetamine.
Diaz-Villalobos made his first appearance in magistrate court on Jan. 24. It wasn't clear whether he had an attorney.