A Carlsbad man is facing federal charges after law enforcement officials found over a kilogram of methamphetamine and dozens of grams of cocaine at his residence. According to court documents, Jason Cunningham, 46, was arrested on September 3, 2025, when the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at his home in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Agents reported seizing approximately 1,090 grams of methamphetamine and 56 grams of cocaine.
Cunningham has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He remains in custody as he awaits trial. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could receive up to life imprisonment.
“Traffickers see only profit, but what they leave behind are broken families and endangered communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “These charges reflect our determination to dismantle the networks that exploit addiction and threaten public safety. That work is only possible because of the extraordinary cooperation between federal, state, tribal and local partners who stand together against those who traffic misery.”
“Methamphetamine is one of the most destructive narcotics on the street. This type of crime is an assault on public health and safety, and individuals such as Cunningham profit off human misery.” said Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso. “HSI is united with our law enforcement partners to use every resource at our disposal to cut off their supply chains and hold them accountable.”
“The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force value our relationships with our federal partners,” said Eddy County Undersheriff Mark Cage. “The Cunningham case investigation and very successful prosecution are a testament to the teamwork it takes to ensure the safety and security of our citizens in Eddy County. Our message is clear: drug trafficking and lawlessness will not be tolerated!”
At the time he was taken into custody, Cunningham was under supervised release following an earlier prison term for a 2017 drug conviction that resulted in an 87-month sentence.
Homeland Security Investigations El Paso along with members from the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force led the investigation into this case. The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force includes officers from multiple agencies including the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, Artesia Police Department, Bureau of Land Management; it operates under New Mexico’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program (HIDTA), which provides federal support for efforts targeting drug threats within the state.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Camacho is prosecuting Cunningham’s case.
Authorities noted that criminal complaints are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
