A man from Bloomfield, New Mexico, has been charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses after an investigation by the Region II Narcotics Task Force. Authorities allege that Joseph Stevens, 41, trafficked fentanyl and methamphetamine from Albuquerque and Phoenix into San Juan County.
Court documents indicate that the investigation began in early 2025. On September 24, deputies from the San Juan Sheriff’s Office conducted a high-risk felony traffic stop on Stevens following an arrest warrant issued the previous day. A K9 officer from the Farmington Police Department performed a scent search of Stevens’ vehicle, which led to its impoundment after detecting controlled substances.
Later that day, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the vehicle. They seized 19 firearms—two of which were reported stolen—along with approximately 329 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, nearly 11 grams of suspected fentanyl powder, about 59 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
Stevens is facing charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He will remain in custody pending trial. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 45 years in prison.
“Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.”
The case was investigated by the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from local law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting.
According to officials, “The Region II Narcotics Enforcement Task Force is a multi-agency, multijurisdictional taskforce whose purpose is to investigate, apprehend and prosecute violators of the New Mexico Controlled Substances Act and related offenses.”
Authorities remind that “A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
