GRANTS, N.M. – The Grants Police Department, like many law enforcement agencies across the United States, is confronting the growing presence of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, within its community. Lieutenant Joe Galindo recently discussed the department's response to the drug's impact in an interview, shedding light on the challenges the police face in tackling the fentanyl problem.
“We’re definitely feeling the impact of fentanyl here,” Lt. Galindo explained. “It’s coming in large quantities, mostly from Mexico, and we encounter it during arrests where people are in possession of it.”
Despite the growing presence of fentanyl, Galindo emphasized that Grants is not experiencing the same level of crisis seen in larger cities. “It’s not every person we arrest, but it’s becoming more common with the frequent offenders we deal with,” he said. However, building cases around fentanyl trafficking can be a long and complex process, often requiring collaboration with federal agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
“We’re working closely with the feds,” Galindo said. “We want to build solid cases that can hold up at the federal level where there are mandatory minimums for trafficking. But it’s not like the old days where we’d make a couple of buys and then kick in a door. It takes months, sometimes even years, to build these cases.”
Fentanyl Overdoses a Continuing Concern
In addition to the focus on enforcement, the police department is also working to respond to the immediate threat fentanyl poses to users. Grants officers are equipped with Narcan, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, and are trained to use it in emergency situations.
“We’ve had to deploy Narcan a few times,” Galindo said. “Just two nights ago, the night shift responded to an overdose case where Narcan was used. Luckily, the person survived.”
However, he also noted that most overdoses involve individuals already known to law enforcement. “It’s the same people who overdose repeatedly,” Galindo explained. “These aren’t necessarily new users. It’s the same group struggling with addiction.”
While the presence of fentanyl in Grants is undeniable, Galindo offered some reassurance: “I’ve been on patrol the past month, and I haven’t personally encountered fentanyl. We’re not saying it’s not out there—it is—but we’re managing the situation.”
The Lieutenant also highlighted the link between homelessness and drug use, noting that while not all homeless individuals in Grants struggle with drug addiction, many do. “You see a lot of foot traffic, and people hanging around certain areas. A lot of it ties in with homelessness,” Galindo said. “Some people have a dependency issue, whether it’s fentanyl, alcohol, or other drugs. But it’s not just one thing causing the problem—it’s a combination of factors, including mental health issues.”
Community Partnerships and Prevention
Addressing the broader issue of drug prevention, Galindo mentioned past efforts like a fentanyl awareness event held about a year ago, and ongoing community efforts such as those organized by the Cibola County Health Council. However, he acknowledged gaps in community partnerships due to recent leadership changes in local substance abuse prevention programs, like the Cibola Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition which is not currently operating.
Looking toward the future, Galindo mentioned an upcoming collaboration with the Milan Police Department for Red Ribbon Week, a drug prevention program aimed at educating students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. “We’ll be doing presentations at schools, and this is one way we’re trying to make sure the youth in our community understand the risks,” he explained.
Galindo thanked Milan Police Chief Carl Ustupski, who has been running Mothers Against Drunk Driving events every year for Red Ribbon Week in the Village of Milan, for inviting Grants Police Department to get involved.
Despite the challenges, Galindo expressed optimism about the department’s ability to manage the fentanyl threat in Grants. “We’re aware of what’s going on, and we’re doing everything we can within the confines of the law to keep the situation under control.”
For now, fentanyl is not overwhelming the city, and the Grants Police Department remains vigilant in its fight against the deadly drug, using both enforcement and prevention strategies to protect the community.